Bengal train blast toll reaches seven, special team reach

Siliguri/Kolkata, Nov 20 (UNI) Even as a special investigation team is reaching the spot to probe into the blast, the toll in the explosion that ripped through the general compartment GS-8321 of the passenger train under North Eastern Frontier (NF) Railway last evening rose to seven.

At least 60 people have also been injured in the blast, of them condition of 25 was stated to be critical.

Inspector General of Police(Law and Order) Raj Kanojia told UNI today the toll has increased to seven in the explosion.

He also added that a special team led by ADG CID will reach the spot in the afternoon to investigate into the blast.

Two coaches of the train, Haldibari-New Jalpaiguri Passenger, were to be attached to the Darjeeling Mail at New Jalpaiguri.

Neither of these were hit by the blast though, which occurred in a general compartment. The train was waiting to leave Belakoba station, 18 kms from New Jalpaiguri, when the explosion took place.

The Darjeeling Mail eventually left for Kolkata at 10 pm two hours behind schedule.

The blast blew to bits the fifth rake from the engine. Three doors were ripped off, window panes threw to the roof of the station and the coaches' floor turned bloody.

Unofficial sources put the toll to 12.

A massive alert had been sounded throughout North Bengal following the blast and a team of state government officials had rushed to the spot.

Rescue and relief operation was going on in full swing with the arrival of medical teams from Siliguri Medical College.

In 1999 a similar blast had torn apart New Jalpaiguri station.

Sleuths are also tracing calls made during and before the blast.

UNI BA JYN RD 1105