India train blast leaves 66 dead

Date: 19/02/2007 14:17

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A series of bombs have killed at least 66 people on a Pakistan-bound train in northern India.

In what is being described as an act of terrorism, the blasts derailed the Samjhauta Express at Panipat in Haryana just 50 miles outside of New Delhi.

In the aftermath of the wreckage, two homemade bombs were found to have caused the explosions while a further two failed to detonate.

Most of the dead are said to be Pakistanis travelling in the crowded lower class part of the train, where compartments are barred with metal rods, trapping those inside.

The Indian government has been quick to condemn the attack. Railways minister Lalu Prasad Yadav said: "It is sabotage," reports Reuters.

He continued: "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."

Pakistani leader, General Pervez Musharraf, insisted that the tragedy should not derail the peace process between the two nuclear-armed countries.

He said: "We will not allow elements which want to sabotage the ongoing peace process and succeed in their nefarious designs," reports AP.

Last July, a similar attack in Mumbai left 186 people dead.

None of InsureandGo's travel insurance policies exclude acts of terrorism.

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