Can’t share Samjhauta information with Pakistan now: Home ministry

The Indian government has locked horns with their Pakistani counterparts on the issue of sharing information regarding the Samjhauta Express blast after a fresh probe reportedly indicated involvement of Hindu terror groups.

The home ministry has rejected Pakistan’s demand to share details of the probe saying the process was at a preliminary stage and that it would be premature to do so.

The North Block reportedly conveyed this to the ministry of external affairs (MEA).

MEA authorities concerned had approached the home ministry after India’s acting deputy high commissioner to Pakistan GV Srinivas was called to the foreign office by director-general (south Asia) Afrasiab Mehdi Hashmi. He had demanded information on progress in the investigations “at the earliest”.

The ministry’s move comes in the wake of severe criticism by the BJP on “giving a new direction to the probe” which it felt had weakened the case against the Pakistan-sponsored terrorist groups who were initially found involved in the train blasts. The Pakistan authorities had earlier asked New Delhi to share details of the probe after the Hindu terror angle was added to it and it was reported that RSS activist Swami Aseemanand was allegedly involved in it.

In a related development, the National Investigation Agency has announcedcash rewards for those who would help locate three suspects in the Samjhauta Express bomb blast, Sandeep Dange, Ramchandra Kalsangra and Ashok.