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Samjhota E
Topic Started: Feb 22 2007, 02:41 AM (116 Views)
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At least 66 people have been killed after blasts ripped through two bogies of the Samjhauta Express on Sunday.

This is perhaps the first terror attack to target citizens of both countries, simultaneously.

According to reports, most victims are believed to be Pakistanis. Railway staff and guards were also among the dead.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expressed anguish and grief over the deaths.

Singh and his Pakistani counterpart Shaukat Aziz had a telephonic talk in the wake of the deadly blasts on Samjhauta Express. Returning Aziz's phone call, Singh assured him of all help to Pakistani families.

Both leaders said they are committed to fighting terrorism together. The PM also praised the Indian police for containing the extent of damage.

Condemning the incident, Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav said it was an attempt to derail the improving relations between the two sides.

"The dead include children, guards and many of our Pakistani brothers and sisters," said Lalu.

Home Minister Shivraj Patil, who visited the scene of the attack, also echoed similar sentiments.

"Whoever is behind the incident is against peace and wants to spoil our growing relationship with other countries," said Patil.

Devastating fire

Among the first eyewitness accounts is one of a passenger who lost five children on her way to Faisalabad in Pakistan.

"I lost five children in this tragedy. There was a huge blast. There was smoke everywhere and quite a few people fell unconscious. I am sure it was a bomb blast," she said.

Villagers staying nearby were the first to reach the spot. But even they could not do anything to stop the massive fire.

"There was a massive fire and though we tried to get in, we could not. But we still managed to save two-three children," said Ravinder Sharma, a villager who saved lives.

The tragedy however could have been much worse.

Forensic experts at the site have confirmed that the coaches caught fire while the train was moving at nearly 100 kilometer per hour. The plan was to trigger more than two explosions.

The police found three other suitcase bombs that had enough explosives to blow up three more coaches but were detonated just in time.

First two bombs went off in the fourth and fifth last coaches, both in general compartments.

Three other suitcases containing bombs and other explosive devices were also found at the location but they did not go off.

One of them was found in the last bogie and the other in the second last compartment. Another suitcase was found on the side, right next to the tracks.

All the suitcases contained kerosene bottles, pipe bombs and three other bombs of low intensity, which could be triggered by a timer attached to them.

"The bombs that were used were low end explosives. They were wrapped with petrol and kerosene, which made the fire spread," said J S Mahawal, Director, Forensic Science Lab, Haryana.

Security lapse?

The obvious security lapse in the case was how the five bombs in at least four bogies on a Pakistan bound train were not detected.

There were no metal detectors for passengers and luggage at the Old Delhi Railway Station.

Within a few hours of the blasts, several agencies landed in Panipat and are looking for clues.

The agencies included the National Security Guards (NSG) and even Mumbai's Anti-Terror Squad (ATS).

Terror and diplomacy

The incident comes ahead of Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri's arrival in India on Tuesday.

"It is a horrendous act of terrorism. I would like the Indian government to investigate this incident. We are waiting for the results of the investigation," he said.

Kasuri is scheduled to co-chair the India-Pak Joint Commission with his Indian counterpart Pranab Mukherjee.

It is believed that during his visit, the much talked about joint anti-terror mechanism with Pakistan will get its first act together. Indian High Commission

The Indian High Commission in Pakistan has made arrangements for the immediate processing of visas for relatives of those affected by the tragedy.

The High Commission of India will also help in coordinating arrangements to expedite travel to India from the Wagah-Attari border.

Technically, the express is called the Attari Special. Passengers are transferred to the Samjhauta Express at the Attari railway station near the Wagah border for the journey into Pakistan.

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Bore Na Kar
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Very bad incident, Allah reham karay.
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~CrystalClear~
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*Keep a smile on ur face n let ur personality b ur autograph*
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yeah so sad
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