Train services resume in south Kashmir

Srinagar, Mar 17 : Train services resumed on Saturday after remaining suspended on Friday for security reasons in south Kashmir, where two militants were killed in an encounter by security forces at Balhama Khanmoh area in the wee hours of Friday.

"We have resumed all train runs in south Kashmir on Saturday", a senior railway official told TNN.

However, he said, all trains chug as per scheduled in north Kashmir yesterday also.

He said an advisory was received from police yesterday morning to suspend all train runs in south Kashmir. However, last night a fresh advisory was received to resume all train runs in south Kashmir. Therefore, he said, trains will now chug on Badgam-Srinagar-Anantnag- Qazigund to Banihal in Jammu region today.

The first train from Banihal have left for Srinagar, he said adding similarly all trains will run as per schedule.

We are expecting heavy rush of passengers, particularly in the afternoon when people are going to their homes because of Sunday holiday tomorrow, he said adding similarly on Monday morning heavy rush of people is observed when they are resuming their duty and business.

He said railway is acting only on the advice of police. However, he said, every decision is taken in the interest of passengers and railway property. In the past railway property suffered huge damage during protests and demonstrations in the valley. Last year train service was suspended for more than 50 times, partially or fully in the valley for security reasons.

However, the railway has become most popular in the valley, where people prefer to travel in trains which is being considered cheap, fast and safe.