Death toll rises after Indian train blast
The train had left New Delhi for Lahore.
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Monday, 19, Feb 2007 11:15
At least 64 people have died after a number of explosions caused a fire onboard a train in northern India.
The Samjhauta Express had travelled 50 miles of its journey to Lahore in Pakistan from the Indian capital of New Delhi when the incident occurred in Panipat, Haryana.
Police have warned that the death toll could continue to rise due to the number of passengers and staff injured in the blasts. It is thought that the majority of those killed are Pakistanis.
The Indian government has condemned the attack as an "act of terrorism", with railways minister Lalu Prasad Yadav quoted by the Reuters news agency as saying that "it is sabotage".
Speaking at a news conference in the north-eastern Indian city of Patna, Mr Yadav discussed the motives of those who place two homemade bombs on board the train, saying: "The aim is clear. It is to put hurdles into the path of the peace process that has started between the two neighbouring countries - India and Pakistan."
Another two bombs were found on the train but had failed to detonate.
The attacks come just days before peace talks were due to continue between the two nations with Pakistan's foreign minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri to meet with ministers in New Dehli.