Everything will be done to bring perpetrators to book: Govt

New Delhi, Feb 19 (UNI) The government today asserted it would make every effort to bring to justice the perpetrators of the heinous act of blasts in the Samjhauta Express.

The External Affairs Ministry said in a statement that the immediate priority was to deal with the humanitarian consequences of the tragedy.

Strongly condeming the heinous act, it said the cause of the fire was being investigated.

Meanwhile, two officials from Pakistan Railways were expected to come to Attari to assist the passengers who are already in Attari.

...the blasts in Train No. 4001 Delhi-Attari Express (link train of Samjhauta Express) at around February 18-19 midnight claimed at least 64 lives. Two of the 16 coaches caught fire.

''The cause of the fire is being investigated. Our immediate priority is to deal with the humanitarian consequences of the tragedy,'' the statement added.

The injured have been taken to hospitals in Panipat and Delhi.

The dead include a number of Pakistanis, many of them burnt beyond recognition. They are being identified with the help of Pakistani authorities.

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

Visas will be issued to relatives of the dead and injured by the Indian High Commission in Islamabad, which set up a visa camp in Lahore for this purpose.

''We will also arrange for their travel from Attari/Wagah to Panipat and Delhi...Government will make every effort to bring to justice the perpetrators of this heinous act,'' the statement added.

UNI