NEW DELHI, Feb 26: India will use metal-detectors, closed circuit TV and sniffer dogs to prevent a repeat of the bomb attack on a train carrying passengers bound for Pakistan in which 68 people died, Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav said on Monday.
Mr Yadav, who was presenting a popular railway budget, told parliament that additional money would be put into funding the new measures.
The attack on the Delhi-Attari express train has led to demands from both countries for better security on India’s train network.
The minister said vacant posts in India’s Railway Protection Force would also be filled soon, and personnel training would be stepped up.
Investigators here believe last week’s bombing was the work of extremists opposed to the peace process between Pakistan and India.
Similar measures would be taken to protect the Thar Express.
Mr Yadav said besides ensuring one travelling ticket examiner in each compartment of the ‘friendship trains’, at least two Railway Protection Force personnel would be deployed in each of the coaches of the two trains.
He said explosive detection devices, door frames and hand held metal detectors were being installed to provide better security for trains and passengers.
In consultation with security experts, an integrated extensive security and surveillance system would be developed for Mumbai
Suburban Services equipped with high quality equipment, he said.
SIX BOMBS: Detectives probing the attack have found that six bombs were planted in three carriages, a report said on Monday, according to AFP.
Police had also lifted a set of fingerprints from one of the two unexploded devices, The Indian Express said. All the bombs were hidden in suitcases left by the entrances of the carriages, effectively sealing escape routes, it said.
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