Correction - CNN Covers Train Bombing in India

stand corrected, per my earlier blog about CNN ignoring bombings anywhere except in Iraq.  From tonight's article:

NEW DELHI, India (CNN) -- Explosions aboard an Indian passenger train bound for Pakistan killed at least 64 people and wounded 50 early Monday, and explosive devices have been found, according to railway officials. Two blasts ripped through two passenger coaches, as the Samjhauta Express passed through Panipat, about 80 kilometers (50 miles) north of New Delhi, said Northern Rail spokesman Rakesh Saxena."

"Who was behind the blasts and the motive were not known, but they came two days before the arrival in India of Pakistan's foreign minister, who is scheduled to sign confidence-building measures between the two countries."

" 'This appears to be a case of sabotage,' said Northern Rail General Manager V.N. Mathur. There were 610 passengers on the train, he said. Most of the people who died were burnt to death."   

"Residents living near the tracks rushed to the scene with buckets of water, and the blaze was eventually extinguished when fire trucks arrived, The Associated Press reported. Hours later, authorities detached the burned cars, and the rest of the train continued on to the India-Pakistan border, according to AP."

"The name of the train, which originated in New Delhi, translates to "Friendship Express," and was established as a symbol of the new friendship between nuclear rivals India and Pakistan."

It's a pretty safe bet that Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) was behind this train bombing, as that Pakistani terrorist group is utterly opposed to peace between Pakistan and India. Which is putting it nicely. Actually, LeT calls for the total destruction of the Indian republic, among other entities.  LeT has been responsible for a string of bombings, as described in a previous post, including the bombing of a Mumbai train in July 2006, which killed over 160 people.  I hope the authorities can quickly determine who's responsible for today's bombing.

More info from CounterTerrorism blog and the Khaleej Times on the nature of the explosives:

"Around five unexploded IEDs have been recovered from the train, kept in suitcases along with inflammable liquids. Though Intelligence sources ruled out the use of RDX in these blasts, preliminary investigation pointed at cocktail of explosives (sulphur or nitrate) and kerosene bombs were used to trigger the blasts and subsequent fire. Investigating team has found kerosene bottles on the train to facilitate fire to spread to other bogies of the train."

Comments

[right all the time]

India is reaping what she sows. Too bad!