Press condemns India train blasts

Indian and Pakistani papers are united in condemning Monday's attack on the Samjhauta Express.

Two carriages of the Samjhauta (Friendship) Express were destroyed

They agree the bombers' aim was to jeopardise the peace process between India and Pakistan.

But there is widespread feeling that the blasts, a day before Pakistani Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri arrived in Delhi for talks, may actually boost reconciliation.

However, one Indian daily warns there could be further attacks in both countries on their road to peace.

INDIA'S ANANDABAZAR PATRIKA

If this sabotage was by militants, then there are no words to condemn this dastardly attack. It is noteworthy that neither of the two countries has tried to blame the other for the incident. This is significant.

INDIA's AGRA AMAR UJALA

The terrorists have made their intentions clear. They want to bury the two-way relations that were getting back on track. It is noteworthy that Kasuri is arriving here on a three-day visit today. Next month both countries are to hold a meeting on combating terrorism. The terrorists cannot tolerate all this.

INDIA'S NAVBHARAT TIMES

The silver lining is that both India and Pakistan are emerging from their past attitudes. This maturity was proved by their reactions. They did not adopt their usual stances this time. Both countries seemed to take a united stand. This shows that they have now learned to treat terrorism as a common enemy.

INDIA'S JULLUNDUR AJIT

The fire proved once again that there are forces in the region who neither want to see the normalisation of relations between the two countries, nor want peace. This incident is the sort which can create suspicion and mistrust between the two countries and also appears to be dangerous for the peace process, but one satisfactory thing is that the governments of both countries have issued very mature and diplomatic statements.

INDIA'S THE INDIAN EXPRESS

The two governments' responses so far have been strikingly mature. If the two countries are mature and responsive in dealing with the victims' needs and the investigation the benefits for the peace process could far exceed gains made in traditional areas of bilateral relations.

INDIA'S SIASAT

It must be vehemently condemned. The incident shows that the militants are in a state of despair. They are trying to draw attention to their existence by targeting innocent people. They can terrorise people for the time being by such acts but they have no chance of succeeding in their real designs.

INDIA'S RAJASTHAN PATRIKA

The blasts are not only the source of a new problem for India, they are also a warning from terrorists to Pakistan that if it moves forward on the road to peace the security of its people's lives and property is also at risk.

PAKISTAN'S NAWA-I-WAQT

Indian Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav has alleged that the terrorist incident was an action by elements determined to sabotage the peace process between India and Pakistan. We say Mr Yadav should try to find out what elements in his country are opposed to the peace process and why their government has allowed them to go free. We strongly condemn the terrorist act in which dozens of innocent people were killed.

PAKISTAN'S THE NEWS

The loss of lives is tragic and must be the work of elements opposed to the ongoing peace process between the two countries. Pakistan has rightly condemned the blasts and has asked India to conduct a thorough investigation into the act of terrorism. One hopes that both sides will swiftly and publicly express their determination to carry on with the peace process.

PAKISTAN'S JANG

The authorities of both countries should show no lethargy in checking the luggage of passengers travelling on the Samjhauta Express and keep a vigilant eye on suspects so that similar incidents can be avoided in future. We reiterate that the process of peace talks between the two countries should not be disturbed due to this tragic incident.

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