Delhi-Lahore bus leaves for Pak

The Delhi-Lahore bus with 46 passengers on board left for its Pakistani destination early on Tuesday morning amidst tight security, a day after two powerful explosions ripped through the trans-border Samjhauta Express train in Deewana killing over 60 people.

Twenty-nine Pakistani nationals and 19 Indians, who boarded the fully air-conditioned Sada-e-Sarhad, left for Lahore [ Images ] from the Ambedkar Stadium bus terminal in Central Delhi [ Images ] at 6 am.

Tight security measures were in place at the Delhi Transport Corporation's terminal from where the bus started its journey.

Passengers were frisked and their baggage thoroughly scanned before the bus left the station. The bomb disposal squad also conducted a thorough check of the bus. Security personnel were also deployed in huge numbers.

The Sada-e-Sarhad was re-started on July 11, 2003. The service was launched amidst much fanfare on March 16, 1999. It was suspended on December 31, 2001 after the December 13, 2001 Parliament attack.

The DTC runs a service from Delhi on Tuesdays and Fridays while Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation service operates on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

As regards the return journey, DTC bus leaves Lahore on Wednesday, whereas the PTDC bus leaves Delhi on Tuesday and Friday.