Samjhauta Express blast

19 February 2007

Samjhauta Express, train which became the hope for beginning of a new era between the two countries India and Pakistan was hit by a massive attack on 19 February 2007, 63 people, including some Pakistani nationals, were killed in explosions believed to have been set off by IEDs in two coaches of the Delhi-Attari special train for Lahore in Deewana near Panipat, about 100 kms from Delhi.

Several people were also injured in the incident, which the Northern Railway said was a clear case of sabotage. The explosions in the train took place at 11:55 pm last night. The bi-weekly train left the Old Delhi Railway Station at 10:40 pm . 

Northern Railway General Manger V N Mathur, who reached the spot from Delhi, told reporters that two suitcases were recovered from the spot, one from the rail track and one from the train. Both the suitcases contained IEDs one of them also had incendiary material, either kerosene or petrol, he said.

The two coaches, where all the deaths took place, were completely gutted and only the charred remains were visible. After detaching those two coaches, the rest of the train left for Attari via Wagah. The official said Shamshuddin, the Pak national, was travelling in the train. Two Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel, who were on duty in the two compartments were missing, he said adding that it was suspected that they could be among the dead. 

The train runs non-stop from Delhi to Attari where the passengers are shifted to the Samjhauta Express, which goes to Lahore after customs and immigration clearances. The train only has operational halts at some stations, including Ludhiana and no passenger can alight or board it en rooted. 

The matter was not limited only to the Indian territory but also to Pakistan hence the blast was taken very seriously but it also showed the loopholes in security provided to the train.