MIL/Agencies, Feb 20, 2007. Author: Matthew Rosenberg, AP
Dewana, India, February 20, 2007 - Leaders of India and Pakistan pressed ahead yesterday with their peace process, hours after twin bombs – apparently intended to disrupt their relations – sparked a fire that killed 66 people aboard a train that links the two rivals.
The fire destroyed two coaches on the Samjhauta Express, about an hour after the train left New Delhi on its way to the Pakistan border. Officials said the attack was timed ahead of the arrival of Pakistani Foreign Minister Khursheed Kasuri, who was expected today in the Indian capital.
"This is an attempt to derail the improving relationship between India and Pakistan," Railway Minister Laloo Prasad told reporters.
Pakistan quickly decried the attack, and Indian officials took pains to avoid laying any quick blame. Each side appeared to reach out across the border.
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh declared his country's "abhorrence for this heinous terrorist act" and expressed his condolences by telephone to Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, according to Singh's office. Most of the dead were Pakistani.
India will do "everything possible to ensure that its perpetrators are punished," a statement said.
In Ottawa, Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay released a statement calling the attack "a deplorable act of violence against innocent civilians."
"We wish to extend our sympathies to the families of the victims of Monday's attack. Such tactics will only cause more suffering. Canada strongly condemns this act of terrorism," said MacKay.
An Indian Home Ministry official said no suspects had been ruled out – from Kashmiri separatists to Hindu extremists.
Speaking to India's CNN-IBN television, Kasuri called the bombing a "terrible act of terrorism" and said "the peace process must go on with greater vigour and greater determination."
