India asked to associate Pakistan in Train Tragedy Probe
By Shoaib Jabbar 'Pakistan Times' Special Correspondent

ISLAMABAD: Railway Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed Tuesday deplored the "non-cooperative" attitude of some Indian officials who he said have not yet provided the correct details of the dead and injured Pakistanis travelling on Samjhota Express train.

Strongly condemning the incident, which occured on the night between Sunday and Monday, he told the National Assembly that so far there are reports of 67 deaths in the train but the Indian rail officials have conveyed the name of only one dead passenger named Shafique.

The Indian officials have said 13 Pakistanis were injured who are admitted to a Delhi hospital but their condition is such that they cannot be allowed to travel for another 56 hours, he added.

He said immediately after the incident, he contacted the Indian railway officials and rushed to Wahgah border but after initial contact, they could not be reached.

"They had put down the phone receivers and I immediately contacted the president and the prime minister and informed him of the situation."

Sheikh Rashid said a C-130 transport plane and a special train was ready to bring the bodies back to Pakistan, which the Indian officials say were charred beyond recognition.

He said Indian authorities for no apparent reason stopped the train at Atari and the short distance to Wahgah was covered in six hours.

He said locking the train doors, despite clearance by the security officials, was the cause of large number of deaths.

The Minister asked India to conduct a thorough probe into the incident, condemned worldwide, and said Pakistani investigating agencies should also be involved in the inquiry.

He said the Indians admit to a serious security lapse which caused the most unfortunate disaster.

Jaish, Lashkar Blamed

Meanwhile, a report from Indian town of Panipat says that the Indian police Tuesday blamed outlawed Jehadi outfits Jaish-i-Muhammad and Lashkar-i-Taiba for Samjhota Express blasts.

Police have also released sketches of two persons suspected to be behind the train blasts.

Addressing a press conference, Inspector General Police Haryana said that police interrogating a Pakistani named Usman, a resident of Karachi who is providing important information.

Initial reports suggested that Kerosene bombs were used along with low intensity explosives, he said.

Experts said that ammonium nitrate and sulphur were used and traces of kerosene and diesel were also found, which held spread the fire.

It is yet unclear whether the blasts were carried out through timer or any other method was used.

During the press conference police also showed various objects, which were used for the blast. Notable among them were bottles filled with kerosene and a piece of cloth, pipe and clock used as a timer. The bottles were manufactured in India.

At least five bombs in suitcases were planted by the bombers- two of the bombs went off, forensic experts said.●