Bomb attack on Indian train

At least 30 people have been injured in a bomb attack on an express train in north-eastern India, according to local police.

The authorities in the state of Assam say at least six coaches were derailed by the bomb, planted by suspected separatist rebels.

Railway lines have been targeted in the past

Police said the explosion hit the train near Bagmara village in the remote western district of Bongaigaon.

The train, which was believed to be full of people, was travelling from the Indian capital, Delhi, to Assam's state capital, Guwahati.

One report said the bomb had been hidden under the tracks on a bridge.

An Assam police spokesman told the BBC that at least seven of the casualties were seriously injured but denied any deaths so far.

But the BBC's Subir Bhaumik in Calcutta says local correspondents, quoting eyewitnesses, say at least three passengers have died in hospitals. The reports are yet to be verified by the authorities.

Rebel targets

Police say they suspect the involvement of rebels belonging to the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB).

The NDFB is fighting for an independent homeland for the Bodo tribes in Assam and our correspondent says they are now upset with Delhi for having started negotiations with another militant group of the same tribe, the Bodoland Liberation Tigers Force (BLTF).

An NDFB leader recently blamed the government for using the BLTF to attack its spaces in western Assam.

At least 12 people were killed in a similar attack in July last year which was also blamed on rebel groups operating in the sate.

Such groups have targeted railways and oil installations in the past.