Sunday, February 25, 2007

Death on the Samjhauta

The Pakistanis killed in the terrorist attack on the Samjhauta Express were buried today near Panipat. The Hindu, referred to the Pakistanis as our brothers, and I couldn't agree more. The partition was one of the most traumatic experiences in the history of both countries. Traumatic, because the division of the country by the British, into Pakistan and India, uprooted families and friends.While a political line split a country, since we share a common history, I think it fair to call them our brothers.
Trivia: The train on which the bombs went off, was actually the Delhi-Attari Special and not the Samjhauta.The Samjhauta in reality runs only between Attari, on the Indian side, and Wagah(Pakistan), a meagre distance of 3 km. Passengers travelling between Delhi and Lahore board the Delhi-Attari special, and alight at Attari for customs and immigration. They then board the Samjhauta to take them to Wagah. After the formalities at Wagah, they board another train to Lahore. The Samjhauta returns to Attari the same day.

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