India trying to 'exonerate' Samjhauta blasts suspects: Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan today said India was trying to "exonerate" individuals suspected to be involved in the 2007 Samjhauta Express blasts that killed more than 42 Pakistanis and sought "fair investigation" in the case.

"It appears that the Indian government is trying to exonerate individuals, who many in India itself believe were involved in Samjhauta Express terrorist attack, resulting in the loss of lives of more than 42 innocent Pakistanis," Foreign Office spokesman Nafees Zakaria told reporters here.

Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry conveyed Pakistan's concern to his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar during a visit to India last month and "urged the Indian government for fair investigation and trial of the terrorist attack", he said.

He said it's "only through fair, timely and judicious administration of justice that any society can sustain itself as a respected member of global community."

The Samjhauta Express, the only rail link between India and Pakistan, was bombed on February 18, 2007.

Four Improvised Explosive Devices were planted on the Samjhauta Express, a twice-weekly train service connecting Delhi, India, and Lahore, Pakistan in which 68 lives were lost. At least 42 Pakistani citizens were among the victims.