Reuters AlertNet Lite - Indian train blast probe widens to several states

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Indian train blast probe widens to several states

22 Feb 2007 08:25:07 GMT
Source: Reuters

NEW DELHI, Feb 22 (Reuters) - The hunt for the bombers of a train from India to Pakistan spread to several north Indian states on Thursday as investigators said they were pursuing new clues and had detained two people for questioning.

The Sunday midnight blasts on the Samjhauta Express -- which connects New Delhi to the Pakistani city of Lahore -- sparked a fire which killed 68 people about an hour after the train had left the Indian capital.

Although no group has admitted responsibility, New Delhi suspects the attack was the work of Muslim extremists opposed to a peace process between India and Pakistan.

While two bombs placed in suitcases exploded on two coaches of the train, two others failed to go off and investigators have been pursuing leads offered by them.

"We have formed some teams to go to Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi and Punjab," said R.C. Mishra, a top police officer in Haryana state, where the attack took place, referring to neighbouring states.

"We have some specific information but have to wait for the investigation process to get over," he said, adding that police were also verifying passengers' passports.

Police in the western desert state of Rajasthan said they had detained two people, including a 44-year-old woman, for questioning in the border district of Bikaner but it was not yet clear if the people had any links to the attack.

Separately, investigators in New Delhi said a Hindi newspaper wrapped around explosives in one of the defused bombs was an edition published from Aligarh, a town with a large Muslim population in Uttar Pradesh.

"This may give some clues to police to carry forward their investigation," a senior officer told Reuters.

Delhi police said on Wednesday they were investigating a suspicious phone call made to Pakistani Kashmir just after the bombs exploded, indicating the possibility of a Kashmiri separatist hand in the attack.

But militant groups have strongly denied any role and instead blamed Indian agencies and hardline Hindu groups.

India and Pakistan have said they would not allow the attack to undermine their peace process, and New Delhi has agreed to share information from the investigation through a joint panel formed last year to fight terrorism.

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Last updated:Thu Feb 22 08:25:22 2007