NEW DELHI: The Indian government has handed over to Pakistani authorities the summonses issued by a special NIA court recently to 13 Pakistani nationals who have been asked to depose in Panchkula court in connection with the 2007 Samjhauta Express train blast in which 68 people were killed.

Times of India quoting official sources said the summonses have reached Islamabad through the diplomatic channels but there is no confirmation yet from Pakistan whether the 13 will attend court in India. The court, while issuing the summonses on March 17, had asked the witnesses to appear before it from July 4.

Sixty-eight people were charred to death in the blasts in two coaches of the Samjhauta Express in Panipat on February 18, 2007.

Initially, investigators came to the conclusion that the attack had been planned by a group of Hindu extremists. The NIA has filed a chargesheet against several people, including Swami Aseemanand, who walked free in the Ajmer Dargah blast case earlier this year after prosecution witnesses turned hostile.—INP