Terror Attack on Indo-Pak Samjhauta Express
By Animesh Roul
Over 60 people have died and around 50 sustained injures in the fire triggered by bomb blasts that ripped through two bogies of the Samjhauta Express (Delhi- Attari-Lahore) on February 18 night. The incident took place near Deewana in Panipat, about 50 miles from Indian capital New Delhi. The train, literally means 'Understanding' connects New Delhi to Pakistan's city of Lahore and runs twice a week, has been the only earliest symbol of unity (initiated in 1975) between two warring South Asian nations.
Around five unexploded IEDs have been recovered from the train, kept in suitcases along with inflammable liquids. Though Intelligence sources ruled out the use of RDX in these blasts, preliminary investigation pointed at cocktail of explosives (sulphur or nitrate) and kerosene bombs were used to trigger the blasts and subsequent fire. Investigating team has found kerosene bottles on the train to facilitate fire to spread to other bogies of the train.