Two critical in North-East Express blast

GUWAHATI, Sep 26 (UNI): Two of the 40 passengers injured in yesterdays blast that derailed seven coaches of the Guwahati-bound North-East Express near Bijni in Assam were in a critical condition, Railway Officials said today.

The seriously injured passengers were identified as Suleman Ali and R Mahato, a North East Frontier Railway spokesman said.

The blast left a huge crater of about 22 metres long, six metres wide and five metres deep on the track, he said.

The bomb was planted by suspected National Democratic Front of Bodoland militants, the officials said.

Senior Railway, Civil and Police officials have visited the scene of the blast.

Investigations have begun to apprehend the Ultras responsible for the explosion, the officials said.