INDO-PAK: Kasuri arrives today, Pak medical team on way with C-130

As news of the blasts on board the Samjhauta Express, perhaps the most enduring symbol of the Indo-Pak people-to-people relationship, broke this morning, for the first time there was no finger-pointing but a resolve by the leadership on both sides to strengthen the bilateral peace process. And, quietly, a cautious cooperation had begun.

For the first time, officials from the Pakistan High Commission were allowed to visit the site although India held back permission for more Pak Railways officials to probe the explosions and the fire which killed 67 people. They were allowed to visit Wagah.

While the local administration began work with daybreak, admitting the injured to a Panipat Hospital — some were later moved to the Safdarjung Hospital here — Pakistan is said to have decided to carry out an evacuation of its injured. A C-130 aircraft with a medical team will come here over the next couple of days to take back the bodies and the injured.

Setting the tone was the expression of resolve at the highest political levels. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh spoke to his Pakistan counterpart Shaukat Aziz and committed to “doing everything possible to ensure that its perpetrators are punished”. Both sides condemned the attack and decided to not allow this to derail the peace process.

Earlier, Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf said: “We will not allow elements that want to sabotage the ongoing peace process succeed in their nefarious designs”.

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