Kolkata, November 20
At least 10 passengers were killed and 50 injured when several bombs exploded inside two compartments of the Darjeeling Mail at New Jalpaiguri station this evening. Several passengers were injured as they jumped out of the windows of the train to escape fire, according to reports reaching Writers’ Building.

Though no official communication about the accident was available, the police suspected that the explosions could have been masterminded by the ISI’s terrorists and the KLO outfits operating in the area.

Incidentally, about four years ago, similar blasts had been carried out at the New Jalpaiguri station in which the ISI’s involvement had been established.

Immediately after the explosions, an alert was sounded in the Siliguri-Jalpaiguri area and other places of the North-East region.

Two coaches of the Haldibari-New Jalpaiguri passenger train, carrying passengers from the nearby Jalpaiguri station were being attached to the Darjeeling Mail, when the bombs exploded. The injured had been admitted to Jalpaiguri and Siliguri hospitals and private nursing homes.

A large contingent of the police, fire-brigade and health staff immediately arrived at the scene to rescue the passengers. The entire station area and the adjoining places had been cordoned off.

In view of tension prevailing in the Siliguri and New Jalpaiguri areas, special police forces have been deployed.