NEW DELHI, Feb 20: Two men were allowed to jump from a Pakistan-bound train shortly before it erupted in flames, officials said on Tuesday. They also released sketches of the men, raising questions about security along the India-Pakistan rail link.

The two suspects, whose identities are not known, boarded the train when it left New Delhi on Sunday but quickly began arguing with the conductor, insisting they were on the wrong train. They were allowed to jump from the train as it slowed down about 15 minutes before the crude bombs detonated, setting off the fires, said Sharad Kumar, a senior police official.

The fire destroyed two coaches on the train, which is one of the most visible symbols of the India-Pakistan peace process, about an hour after the train left New Delhi. Most of the victims were Pakistani.

The train goes to the border town of Attari without stopping, and the revelation that two were allowed off highlighted what most passengers already know: that security on the train and at stations is cursory, at best. Baggage is not searched or scanned, identities are seldom checked and — despite the swarms of police in stations since the bombing — there is often little security presence at all.

In further signs of lax security, Mr Kumar said 13 passengers made it to the Pakistani side of Attari without passports. Tickets for the train are not even supposed to be issued without passengers showing passports.

“The two railway officials who issued the tickets have been suspended and two of our teams are interrogating them in Delhi,” Mr Kumar told reporters.—AP