23 injured in Delhi railway station blast

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, JAN. 6. At least 23 people were injured in a blast aboard a stationary passenger train at the Old Delhi railway station on Thursday evening.

The explosion took place minutes after the Delhi- Shamli- Saharanpur passenger train arrived at platform No. 5 from the maintenance yard. The bomb, which was kept in a general compartment, fourth from the engine, was in all probability planted under seat No. 22.

According to unconfirmed eyewitness accounts, the police picked up at least three persons for questioning from the station soon after the blast. All were passengers waiting near the blast site. While none of them was believed to be directly involved, they were being questioned about events preceding the explosion. No terrorist group has claimed responsibility for the blast until late at night.

Most of the victims were standing on the platform, waiting to board the train which was scheduled to leave an hour later. Some had already entered the ill-fated compartment. The medium- intensity explosion ripped apart the compartment, mangling and softening its inside and maiming the passengers. A crater, two feet wide, was formed where the device had been placed.

The Railway Protection Force personnel were the first to react. At least nine of the injured were given first-aid on the platform itself. The rest were taken to Bara Hindu Rao Hospital and Shushruta Trauma Centre.

No one had been injured seriously, the police said, adding that most of them were discharged from hospital later in the evening. Only one was kept under observation at Bara Hindu Rao Hospital.

An explosive expert - part of the specialised Bomb Disposal Squad which had rushed to the spot - ruled out use of RDX in the explosion.

``RDX has the effect of shattering, shearing and cutting. There was no such sign in the compartment. The effect inside the train compartment was that of pushing and bending - as if pressure had been applied. So it does not look like a very sophisticated device. It seems a crude explosive had been used.''

The expert team also did not find any remnant of the bomb at the site. ``Nothing has been found so far. No remnant of a bomb, no remains of a timer device.'' The experts lifted evidence from inside the compartment and also from the railway track. The nature of the explosive would become clear only after forensic tests are conducted.

The Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime and Railways), Mr. P.K. Srivastav, said it was impossible for the police to keep a check on passengers at railway stations. ``Extra men had been deployed but even then it is an uphill task,'' he added.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Front Page
Previous : 4 accomplices held, five hijackers identified
Next     : 'They were unknown mujahids'