 | « Back to article | Print this article |
A hitherto unheard of organisation on Monday published advertisements in Pakistani newspapers calling on India to offer an "explanation" for purportedly denying justice to the victims of the 2007 bombing of the Samjhauta Express cross-border train.
The quarter-page advertisement, issued by the 'Samjhota Affectees Action Committee', appeared in several leading newspapers.
Some dailies, including The News, carried the advertisement on their front pages.
'Secular India owes an explanation to the world', said the advertisement, which featured an image of women and a child crying against the backdrop of a burning train.
The advertisement also featured an image of an Indian soldier.
"Justice denied anywhere diminishes justice everywhere," the advertisement said.
Referring to the "Samjhota Massacre", it added: "When 68 passengers of the Lahore-bound Samjhota Express were torched and burnt into ashes on the Indian soil."
Pakistan has stepped up calls for action against those responsible for bombing the train after RSS leader Swami Aseemanand recently confessed to a special court in India about the involvement of Sangh activists in several terror attacks, including the assault on the Samjhauta Express.
The bombing of the Samjhauta Express in early 2007 killed nearly 70 people, including 42 Pakistani nationals.
On the other hand, India has criticised Pakistan's handling of the prosecution of seven suspects, including Lashker-e-Tayiba commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, who have been charged with planning, financing and executing the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
The trial has been affected by several procedural delays and the judge has been changed thrice.
Image: The advertisement made it to the front page of leading Pakistani daily, The Nation