Pakistan: At Least 19 Sikh Pilgrims Killed As Train Rams Bus In Sheikhpura; PM Modi Condoles Deaths

According to the reports, the Railway Ministry has suspended a divisional engineer from the service and ordered an immediate probe against those responsible for the accident

(Image: Twitter/@RajaFaisal01)

New Delhi: In a highly tragic incident, at least 19 Sikh people lost their lives on spot while eight others suffered severe injuries after a bus carrying pilgrims collided with a train near Sheikhupura in Pakistan on Friday afternoon. According to the initial reports from Pakistan media, the bus carry 27 pilgrims from of Sikh community was returning from Peshawar when a Karachi bound Shah Hussain Express rammed into the bus at an unmanned railway crossing near Farooqabad in Sheikhupura district of Punjab province in Pakistan. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter and condoled the deaths of Sikh pilgrims.

Pained by the tragic demise of Sikh pilgrims in Pakistan. My thoughts are with their families and friends in this hour of grief.

I pray that those pilgrims injured recover at the earliest. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 3, 2020

As quoted by Indian news agency PTI, Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) spokesperson Amir Hashmi informed that the mini bus was carrying mostly Sikh pilgrims to Gurdwara Sacha Sauda in Farooqabad. "They had come to Nankana Sahib from Peshawar. After staying in Nanakana Sahib, they were leaving for Peshawar. The ETPB security had escorted them till the limits of Nankana Sahib,” Hashmi said. The latest reports in the matter state that rescue team have reached the site of accident. The injured people have been shifted to a hospital in Sheikhupura and Lahore. Reacting on the news, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan extended condolences and directed concerned authorities to provide the best medical aid to the injured people. Taking to the micro-blogging site, Khan tweeted: Deeply saddened at the accident this afternoon at a railway crossing near Sheikhupura which resulted in the death of atleast 20 people, mainly Sikh pilgrims returning from Nankana Sahib. Have directed that proper medical care be provided to the injured.

Deeply saddened at the accident this afternoon at a railway crossing near Sheikhupura which resulted in the death of atleast 20 people, mainly Sikh pilgrims returning from Nankana Sahib. Have directed that proper medical care be provided to the injured.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) July 3, 2020

In a following tweet, PM expressed grief and sympathy to the families of the deceased. "Have directed relevant authorities to ensure facilitation and care for all the families. Our entire railway's operational safety SOPs will be reviewed immediately," Khan posted. Meanwhile, the Railway Ministry has suspended a divisional engineer from the service. The authorities have ordered an immediate probe against those responsible for the accident.