'No joint investigation into Samjhauta blasts'

New Delhi, Feb 21: India today turned down Pakistan's suggestion for joint investigation by both countries into the February 18-19 Samjhauta Express blasts but made it clear that results (of the investigations) would be shared with Islamabad at the Joint Anti-Terror Mechanism meeting in the Pakistani capital on March 6.

''As per the law of the land, the investigations are being conducted by India. One of the objectives of the Joint Anti-Terror Mechanism is to share the information and whatever information is available, will be shared with Pakistan as we have shared in the past, ''External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said at a joint press conference along with visiting Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri.

He, however, asserted that the perpetrators of the explosions which have claimed 68 lives so far, would be ''brought to book.'' Mr Kasuri, in his response, said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had spoken to his Pakistani counterpart Shaukat Aziz and assured that the results of the investigations would be shared when the Joint Anti-terrorism Mechanism meets in Islamabad on March 6.

The two ministers were speaking to reporters after their talks and the Fifth meeting of the India-Pakistan Joint Commission.

The two countries also signed an Agreement on ''Reducing the Risk from Accidents Relating to Nuclear Weapons.'' The Agreement, which enters into force with immediate effect, was signed by Mr K C Singh, Additional Secretary in the External Affairs Ministry, and Mr Tariq Osman Hyder, (Additional Secretary, UN and EC), in the Pakistan Foreign Ministry. The signing ceremony was witnessed by the two Foreign Ministers.

Asked whether Lashkar-e-Toiba could be involved in the explosions, as reported, Mr Mukherjee said it would not be possible to ''conjecture anything'' at this point of time as investigations were on and the Joint Anti-Terror Mechanism would be meeting. Mr Kasuri, while stressing the need for cooperation between the two countries for preventing such ''horrendous tragedy for which no words are strong enough'' for condemnnation, said the Joint Anti-terror Mechanism would be taking cognisance of this.

''This will be very high on their agenda,'' he added.

The Prime Minister (Manmohan Singh) had also said he would share the results of the investigations.

The Pakistan Foreign Minister said there was a need for Indian and Pakistani Railway authorities to interact and coordinate in future as most of the travellers between two countries used a train as the mode of travel.

''A meeting of the railway officials is needed...We must ensure the safety of visitors from either country to prevent such tragedies,'' he added.

Mr Kasuri said Pakistan had made all arrangements for the relatives of the victims to travel to India and would provide all facilities for the injured to be taken back home.

The External Affairs Minister, in his opening remarks, said all efforts were being made to identify the dead and give succour to the bereaved families.

''Government of India will make every effort to bring to justice the perpetrators of this heinous act,'' he added.

UNI

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