Pak conveys 'concerns' on acquittal of Samjhauta blast 'perpetrators'

Pakistan, on Wednesday, conveyed concerns regarding the acquittal of the four suspects in the 2007 Samjhauta Express blast case to other countries through its Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua.

Janjua invited members of diplomatic corps to the Foreign Office and briefed them on the "historic injustice done to the forty-four Pakistanis killed in the Samjhauta Express terrorist attack in 2007 in India," according to The Express Tribune.

A special NIA court had acquitted the four suspects - Swami Aseemanand, Lokesh Sharma, Kamal Chauhan and Rajinder Chaudhary - in the case on March 20.

"Pakistan has already registered a strong demarche with the Indian High Commissioner on March 20 against the acquittal of the perpetrators of Samjhauta terror attacks," the Foreign Secretary said.

On February 18, 2007, explosions hit the India-Pakistan trans-border Samjhauta Express in Panipat area of Haryana and 68 people died in the blast, including scores of Pakistanis.

Out of the deceased, 33 were male, 19 female and 16 children. Later, two unexploded bombs were also found from the site, India's National Investigation Agency (NIA) had said.The Indian side has earlier rejected Pakistan's assertions, after its High Commissioner to Pakistan was summoned following the March 20 decision. It was put forth that due process of law was followed by the Indian courts and judicial system in a transparent manner, according to sources.

In fact, the High Commissioner called out the lack of cooperation from Pakistan government, including in serving court summons to Pakistan witnesses in the Samjhauta blast case. The summons were returned by Pakistan's Foreign Office and not served, sources said.

The High Commissioner asked for an expeditious trial in 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks in which detailed evidence has been given to Pakistan. He expressed disappointment that progress in these trials is held up and the perpetrators and prime accused continue to roam freely in Pakistan, sources further said.

He shared India's concerns at the lack of progress in investigations in Pathankot airbase terror attack even when JIT visit was arranged to India and detailed evidence shared, they added.

It was also pointed out that Pakistan is yet to take credible and irreversible steps against Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) other terror entities and individuals, despite a detailed dossier having been shared after Pulwama attack, sources said.