LAHORE – India has suspended the operation of Samjhota Express for unlimited period owing to ‘security issues’. The Dehli-bound train was to leave from Lahore Railways Station on Monday.

Around 200 Indian and Pakistani passengers of the train were on Thursday stranded at the Wagah railway station for over six hours after Indian authorities apparently did not allow it to leave for Attari because of the farmers' protest on rail tracks in Indian Punjab. Indians were ready to accept Indian nationals but refused to allow Pakistanis (around 57) to cross the border. The train was later called back to Lahore.

PR spokesperson said the department is making arrangements to send 40 passengers staying at the station since Thursday to their homes. Out of 200 passengers, 160 have already left for their homes. Pakistani authorities have extended the visas of the Indian passengers.

“We cannot give exact timeframe for train’s departure to India. Indians say they cannot accept the train due to farmers’ riots in East Punjab,” the spokesperson told The Nation. Samjhota Express makes two journeys between Lahore and Delhi in a week that is on Monday and Thursday.

Foreign Office on Friday summoned India's diplomat and expressed concern over the cancellation of operation of Samjhota Express.