Pakistan has suspended rail links with India amid a worsening relationship between the two states caused by New Delhi’s decision to abolish Jammu and Kashmir, the Minister of Railway Transport of Pakistan Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said.

Friendship Express is the only train that traveled from Lahore to New Delhi via Attari twice a week. The train made the first route on July 22, 1976.

The Indian Government announced on August 5 a decision to abolish the state of Jammu and Kashmir and create two union territories in this region. It was decided to repeal Article 370 of the constitution, which gave Jammu and Kashmir special status. The document was later approved in parliament. Pakistan strongly condemned the move.

According to the constitution of India, Jammu and Kashmir had a special autonomy as all laws there adopted by the central government (with the exception of the defense, foreign relations, and some others) had to be approved by the local assembly. Residents of other regions of India did not have the right to buy land there. Jammu and Kashmir had their own flag and a number of other advantages.