'A Tremendous Humanitarian Tragedy'

Navtej Sarna: Government of India strongly condemns the blasts in TrainNo. 4001 Delhi-Attari Express (link train of Samjhauta Express) at aroundmid-night of 18-19 February 2007. Two of the 16 coaches caught fire. At least 64people were killed in the fire and several others injured. The cause of the fireis being investigated. Our immediate priority is to deal with the humanitarianconsequences of the tragedy. The injured have been taken to hospitals in Panipatand in Delhi. The dead include a number of Pakistanis, many of them burnt beyondrecognition. They are being identified with the help of the Pakistaniauthorities. A team of officials from Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi ison its way, and possibly already there now in Panipat.

The passport numbers of the passengers in the unreserved coaches affected by theexplosions have been sent to Pakistani authorities for assistance inidentification of the dead.

Visas will be issued to relatives of the dead and injured by the High Commissionof India in Islamabad, which will set up a visa camp in Lahore for this purpose.We will also arrange for their travel from Attari/Wagah to Panipat and to Delhi.Two officials from Pakistan Railways are also expected to come to Attari toassist the passengers who have by now reached Attari.

We convey our heartfelt condolences to the victims of this gruesome tragedy.Government will make every effort to bring to justice the perpetrators of thisheinous act.

As you can see this is a developing situation and we may have updates later,which we will keep giving you. I am not really in a position to take too manyquestions after what I have said.

Question: Are you seeing it as a terrorist attack? Are you calling it aterrorist attack?

Navtej Sarna: Well there has been an explosion and it has resulted in agruesome tragedy. I think you do not need any more classifications.

Question: How many of them are Pakistani nationals?

Navtej Sarna: Unfortunately, we do not have that break up. It is verydifficult to ascertain, the entire process is being carried out in cooperationwith Pakistani authorities. We have supplied the passport numbers of thepassengers who were in the affected bogies. There are attempts to try andidentify the bodies.

Question: Were both bogies unreserved?

Navtej Sarna: So I understand, but I am subject to correction. You mightlike to also check with Railway authorities.

Question: Has there been any change in schedule as far as Mr. Kasuri’svisit is concerned?

Navtej Sarna: Well for that we are putting up a separate press release. Ican tell you that the visit takes place from 20 to 23 February 2007 for thefifth meeting of the India-Pakistan Joint Commission which will be held on the21st February 2007. As far as the Joint Commission is concerned, six of theeight technical-level Joint Working Groups have already met on 2006. Theremaining two, Education and Information, will meet on 20 February 2007. AnAgreement on "Reducing the Risk from Accidents relating to Nuclear Weapons"will also be signed between the two countries on 21 February 2007.

Question: Have there been any contacts with the Pakistani authorities?Has Mr. Menon spoken to his counterpart?

Navtej Sarna: I am not aware of any such contact. I do know that at theoperational level, Pakistani High Commission officials were facilitated intravelling to Panipat.

Question: How many of them travelled?

Navtej Sarna: Four, I understand, from your own channels.

Question: Mr. Sarna, the Pakistani Foreign Office spokesperson TasnimAslam has said that it was up to Indian authorities to provide security on thistrain to their passengers. Any response to that?

Navtej Sarna: I do not think this is the time for searching for headlinesand I am not even sure as to whether your quotation is quite correct. It is atremendous humanitarian tragedy. Let us keep our eye on that, let us try andbring succour to those who are injured and to the kin of those who are dead.