Mysterious braking helped suspects

CHANDIGARH: The Haryana police, who released the sketches of the two men suspected to be involved in the blasts, are baffled why the train slowed down some 20km short of the explosion site. The deceleration facilitated the escape of the suspects.

Inspector-General of Police (Rohtak) Sharat Kumar told reporters the suspects had a scuffle with jawans of the Railway Protection Force at Old Delhi station. The two told the RPF they had boarded the wrong train.

A witness, the IG said, told police that the accused said they had wanted to go to Ahmedabad. The jawans reportedly told them to disembark the moment the train slowed down.

When the opportunity arose, the two got down and made their way into the nearby fields. Kumar said the driver and guard will be questioned to ascertain why the train cut speed when there was neither a signal close by nor was any repair work being carried out on the tracks. 

He said police parties have been despatched to trace the suspects and a coordination team has been constituted with the Delhi and Uttar Pradesh police for the purpose.

Police recovered more than a dozen bottles of kerosene and other chemical fluids, besides a briefcase and a digital timer used in the operation. Kumar said the Haryana police is also seeking the assistance of the Punjab and the J&K police to zero in on the possible group behind the blasts.

He said 17 bodies had been identified, 11 of which had turned out to be those of Pakistani nationals. The army has begun embalming the other bodies.