Amid tensions with Pakistan, India suspends Thar Link Express connecting Jodhpur-Karachi

Days after Pakistan discontinued running the Thar Express connecting Jodhpur and Karachi, the Indian Railways on Friday said that it has suspended the Jodhpur-Munabao Thar Link Express. The Thar Link Express runs on the Indian side between Bhagat Ki Kothi railway station in Rajasthan to Munabao bordering Pakistan. From Munabao, after clearing customs, the passengers travelto the other side of the border to Zero Point station from where the Thar Express takes them to the Pakistani city of Karachi.In a statement, North Western Railway (NWR) spokesperson Abhay Sharma said, "Till further orders, Bhagat Ki Kothi-Munabao-Bhagat Ki Kothi and Munabo-Zero Point-Munabao Thar Express services will remain suspended."

On August 9, Pakistan's Railway Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmedhad announced in Islamabad that the day`s train would be the last one to Jodhpur.According to the NWR spokesperson, about 45 people had booked tickets to go to Pakistan.The announcement by NWR has come in the wake of Pakistan downgrading diplomatic ties with India after the NDA government revoked Article370 that gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir, and bifurcated the state.

Last week, the railways also suspended the Samjhauta Link Express that connected Delhi to Attari in Punjab. Pakistan discontinued the Samjhauta Express last Thursday over the Jammu and Kashmir issue.