Indo-Pak peace talks not be affected by Samjhauta Exp blasts:Pati

New Delhi, Feb 19 (UNI) Home Minister Shivraj Patil today strongly condemned the explosions in the Samjhauta Express, which killed at least 65 people and injured 12 others, and said strict actions would be taken against those responsible for it.

Speaking to newspersons after his visit to the site of the blasts, Mr Patil said the incident would not affect the ongoing peace process between India and Pakistan as both the countries are ''big and mature having firm resolve.'' Referring to the explosions which have occurred on the eve of the visit of Pakistan Foreign Minister Kurshid Mahmood Kasuri to New Delhi, he said people want peace, but few were against it.

However, both the government would not allow the nefarious designs of elements, opposed to the talks, to become successful.

He said a new type of explosives kept in suitcases were used for the explosion which totally burnt the two bogies of the Attari bound train.

At least 66 people were killed and 12 were injured. Of the injured admitted to the Safdarjung Hospital, four suffered 40 per cent to 45 per cent burns while the rest about 10 to 15 per cent.

The heat generated by the explosion so much heat that it melted even the iron inside the bogies.

''A lot of information has been gathered about the blasts, but I will not reveal them. Investigation is going on. Stringent punishment would be given to those responsible for the heinous crime,'' he said and added that he would not jump and give the name of anyone as it would not be proper for the government to blame anyone without properly verifying the facts.

Refusing to admit any security lapse being responsible for the explosions, he said a detailed security plan has already been circulated in writing.

Mr Patil said efforts are being made by the government to provide all possible relief to the families of the victims. The External Affairs Ministry is making arrangements for providing visas to the next of kin of the Pakistani nationals killed in the explosion so that they could come and help in the identification of the victims.

The Railway Ministry is making arrangements for their travel while the Health Ministry is providing all possible help to provide medical treatment to the injured admitted to the Safdarjung Hospital.

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