Date:24/02/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/02/24/stories/2007022404921200.htm

National

Train blast: Pakistan's plea to India

Nirupama Subramanian

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan said on Friday it has asked the Indian Government to provide separate burials with DNA identification to the unidentified bodies from the Samjhauta Express. This was to keep open the possibility that the bodies of Pakistanis, if identified, could be brought back here.

A statement from the Foreign Ministry said Pakistan had received word from the Indian Government of the planned burial of the unidentified victims on February 24, in view of their fast deteriorating condition.

The Ministry said Pakistan had requested India to send the bodies here so that they could all be buried here, but New Delhi had declined on the plea that the nationality of the victims was not determined.

"We have now requested for proper separate burial with DNA identification to keep open the possibility of bringing the remains of identified Pakistani nationals to Pakistan," it said.