Explosion in Samjhauta Exp, 64 dead
In a suspected terror attack, 64 people, including some Pakistani nationals were killed.
By PTI |
DEEWANA, HARYANA: In a suspected terror attack, 64 people, including some Pakistani nationals, were killed in explosions believed to have been set off by IEDs in two coaches of the Delhi-Attari special train for Lahore in Deewana near Panipat, about 100 kms from Delhi.
Several people were also injured in the incident, which the Northern Railway said was a clear case of sabotage.
The explosions in the train took place at 11.55 pm on Sunday night. The bi-weekly train left the Old Delhi railway station at 10.40 pm on Sunday night. Northern Railway General Manger V N Mathur, who reached the spot from Delhi, told reporters that two suitcases were recovered from the spot -- one from the rail track and one from the train.
Both the suitcases contained IEDs -- one of them also had incendiary material, either kerosene or petrol, he said.
He said he had talked to the gateman near Deewana station who told him that he had heard two "distinct explosions".
"From this evidence we deduce that this was a clear case of sabotage," Mathur said.
The two coaches, where all the deaths took place, were completely gutted and only the charred remains were visible. After detaching those two coaches, the rest of the train left for Attari via Wagah.
Superintendent of Police (Panipat) Mohinder Singh Sheoran said that forensic experts from Madhuban were summoned.
A senior police officer said a Pakistani national has also given information to police regarding some explosive being planted in the train.
The official said Shamshuddin, a Pak national, was travelling in the train.
Two Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel, who were on duty in the two compartments were missing, he said adding that it was suspected that they could be among the dead.
The train only has operational halts at some stations, including Ludhiana and no passenger can alight or board it en route.
Several people were also injured in the incident, which the Northern Railway said was a clear case of sabotage.
The explosions in the train took place at 11.55 pm on Sunday night. The bi-weekly train left the Old Delhi railway station at 10.40 pm on Sunday night. Northern Railway General Manger V N Mathur, who reached the spot from Delhi, told reporters that two suitcases were recovered from the spot -- one from the rail track and one from the train.
Both the suitcases contained IEDs -- one of them also had incendiary material, either kerosene or petrol, he said.
He said he had talked to the gateman near Deewana station who told him that he had heard two "distinct explosions".
"From this evidence we deduce that this was a clear case of sabotage," Mathur said.
The two coaches, where all the deaths took place, were completely gutted and only the charred remains were visible. After detaching those two coaches, the rest of the train left for Attari via Wagah.
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Superintendent of Police (Panipat) Mohinder Singh Sheoran said that forensic experts from Madhuban were summoned.
A senior police officer said a Pakistani national has also given information to police regarding some explosive being planted in the train.
The official said Shamshuddin, a Pak national, was travelling in the train.
Two Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel, who were on duty in the two compartments were missing, he said adding that it was suspected that they could be among the dead.
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The train runs non-stop from Delhi to Attari where the passengers are shifted to the Samjhauta Express, which goes to Lahore after customs and immigration clearances. The train only has operational halts at some stations, including Ludhiana and no passenger can alight or board it en route.
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