Samjhota Train Tragedy
By the Editor

SIGNALING a gruesome act of terrorism – almost 68 passengers of the Lahore-bound Samjhota Express were put to death with over 50 others who sustained injuries – when two of bogies of the train got gutted with a powerful explosions near Panipat in India on Monday.

Most of the victims of the train – which originates from New Delhi – were Pakistanis returning from their visits to India.

With a unanimous call by the National Assembly for a joint probe to ensure unearth impartial cause of the gory incident – Pakistan has demanded a thorough investigation into the episode and urging New Delhi to share its outcome with it and bring the culprits to justice.

The terrorist attack on the train and genocide of innocent Pakistanis returning home – by all perceptions – represents one of the most heinous crimes against humanity.

Thus – it deserves condemnation with all the vehemence at one’s command.

While joining the nation in condoling the demise of the victims and sympathizing with the bereaved families, we feel optimistic that a comprehensive inquiry will be held into the attack to fix responsibility – bringing the guilty to task.

Yet, it’s quite evident that the extremist elements with anti-Pakistan mindset and those who have yet to reconcile with the existence of Pakistan and are opposed to the establishment of good neighborly relations between Islamabad and New Delhi – can be held responsible for the terrorist attack.

Recapping occurrences of the past – it can obviously be the same elements – who couldn’t bear with Pak-India cricket matches and opted to destroy pitches to vent their hatred against Pakistan.

The Government of Pakistan has, however, acted with wisdom and maturity in responding to the incident – contrary to India after the Mumbai train blasts.

As the preliminary reports say; serious security lapse on the part of the Indian authorities has been the caused of the explosions.

Surprisingly, how the kerosene oil bottles and bombs could be placed in the train compartments without the connivance of the railway functionaries at the New Delhi Railway Station – when the doors of the cubicles were locked and were supposed to be opened only at Wagha.

However, it’s a matter of satisfaction that the blasts have not taken place in the train on the soils of Pakistan.

Otherwise there must have been a serious uproar on the part of India and its sympathizers the world over.

Now when this atrocious act – has been condemned by every peace-loving nation, even by the United Nations – it’s hoped that the Indian Government will hold a thorough, impartial and swift probe to identify the culprits – to take them to the gallows.

We feel convinced that the inquiry report is necessarily required to be shared with Pakistan – both as an vital sign of justice as well as to keep the peace process – intact, to resolve all the pending issues – if at all India is sincere to establish good ties with Pakistan – for ensuring a durable peace in South Asia in the best interest of the humankind – in this part of the globe.●