Uri fallout: Thar Express empties out

JAISALMER: After the terror attack in Uri, the number of passengers travelling to Pakistan from India has fallen drastically. There were no takers for 209 seats on Thar Express on September 24. The train starts its journey from Bhagat Ki Kothi in Jodhpur at 1am on Saturday, reaches Munabao in Barmer on the Indian border in the morning before leaving for Pakistan in the afternoon.
According to officials, 291 passengers left for Pakistan from Bhagat Ki Kothi in Jodhpur, including 109 Indians.The train had 209 empty seats on that day.
However, the return Thar Express from Pakistan, which reached Munabao on Saturday, ran to capacity and carried 505 passengers, including 217 Indians.
Nawab Khan, a resident of Sam, said that he had gone to Pakistan on a 45-day Visa, but returned with family in 20 days after tension began between the two countries. "I have my relatives in Pakistan. More people are coming back following the tension at the border after the Uri attack," he said.
Security on the train has also been tightened and special arrangements made at Munabao railway station, where checking has become stricter. The returning train is also inspected thoroughly.
RPF senior commandant Rajdish Tripathi said that strict security arrangements have been put in place. At Munabao station, checking is being done by security and intelligence agencies along with the dog squad. All luggages are being scanned at Bhagat Ki Kothi station as a preventive measure.
According to Jodhpur zone CB-CID SP Shewta Dhankad, they have ensured that all CCTV cameras at Munabao station are working.
Passengers who come from Pakistan on Thar Express are also being videographed.