By Zahid Shah

ISLAMABAD (TSAT) Pakistan marked the 15th anniversary of the deadly terrorist attack on Samjhauta Express train in India in which over 40 Pakistan had lost their lives.

Despite passing of 15 years, the victims families still waiting for justice and Indian government failed to provide them justice, said the Foreign Ministry.

At least 68 people including 44 Pakistani were killed in that deadly terrorist attack on Feb. 18 in 2007.

Samjhauta Express train between New Delhi and Lahore was bombed in mid-night near the Indian city of Panipat some 80 km from New Delhi.

The bombs were set off in two carriages of the train which filled with passengers.

On Friday, Pakistan Foreign Ministry summoned that the Indian Charge d’Affaires in Islamabad and conveyed Pakistan’s severe disappointment at Indian Government’s callousness towards the plight of the families of the Pakistani nationals who await justice even after the passage of fifteen years,” said the Foreign Ministry.

The Indian diplomat was further conveyed our alarm that the Hindutva extremism and “Saffron terror” that had motivated the inhuman attack fifteen years ago has intensified manifolds under the current regime in India, its added.

“The Charge d’Affaires was asked to convey to Government of India in the strongest terms, Pakistan’s condemnation of the shameless acquittal and exoneration of all accused in dastardly terrorist attack, including Swami Aseemanand, an RSS activist, who publicly confessed of being the mastermind of the heinous attack. This was just another manifestation of the brazen impunity and full state protection that perpetrators of terrorismenjoy in the BJP-ruled India,” according to the statement.

The Charge d’Affaires was also asked to convey to Indian government, Pakistan’s demand for a fair trial and for bringing the perpetrators and abettors of Samjhauta Express terrorist attack to justice,’ its said.

“The families of the innocent Pakistani nationals, mercilessly killed at the hands of the Hindutva-motivated extremists deserve closure.”

Islamabad also called upon New Delhi renounce the use of terrorism as an instrument of state policy and faithfully implement its obligations under international legal regime governing terrorism.

- Justice delayed is Justice denied

Pakistani official said that Modi govt yet to answer serious questions on Samjhota Express blasts.

“ Despite clear evidences and confessions, India’s continuous failure to provide justice to the victims raise so many questions on India’s claims of secularism,” said a senior Pakistani official.

“This delayed justice is a reaffirmation of India’s support to terrorist and extremist organizations. If India would have taken action against culprits of Samjhota, there would have been a different India today.”
“The Slogans of Independence by Muslims would have not been there today. India’s external minister itself blamed BJP directly for Samjhota express. But Unfortunately today, the same BJP is governing the so-called secular state India,” the official said.