UN chief 'strongly condemns' India train bombing
'Pakistan Times' Wire Service

UNITED NATIONS: UN chief Ban Ki-moon "strongly" condemned the firebombing of a train from India to Pakistan that killed at least 67 people Monday, but said he was "encouraged" that leaders of both countries vowed not to allow it to undermine the peace process.

"This heinous crime cannot be justified by any cause and its perpetrators should be brought to justice," Ban said in a statement issued by his spokeswoman Michele Montas.

The secretary-general expressed his "satisfaction that the leaders of India and Pakistan have reaffirmed their determination to continue on the path of dialogue."

He said he was "encouraged by the strong reaction among the various communities in the subcontinent and their common resolve to thwart the motives of the terrorists."

The bombing occurred at a station 100 kilometers (60 miles) north of the Indian capital turning the Samjhuata Express into a fireball. The train was traveling from New Delhi to Lahore in neighboring Pakistan and has been dubbed the "Friendship Express."

The blasts came on the eve of a visit by Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri, who said most of the victims were Pakistani nationals taking the cross-border train home.●