Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Monday condemned the train blast attacks which killed at least 66 passengers in northern India and expressed grief over the loss of lives.

"The Prime Minister expressed anguish and grief at the loss of lives. The culprits will be caught and brought to justice," India TV reported, quoting a spokesman of the Indian Prime Minister's Office.

Indian Home Minister Shivraj Patil, who visited the blast scene, said "whoever is behind the incident is against peace and wants to spoil our growing relationship with other countries." .

Indian Railway Minister Lalu Prasad said "It was an attempt to derail the improving relations between India and Pakistan."

The incident came ahead of Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mohd Kasuri's arrival in India on Tuesday.

Kasuri is scheduled to co-chair the India-Pak Joint Commission with his Indian counterpart Pranab Mukherjee.

It is believed that during his visit, the much talked about joint anti-terror mechanism with Pakistan will get its first act together.

The Indian government said it will issue quick visas to the kin of Pakistani nationals killed or injured in the attack.

At least 66 people were killed, and more than 20 seriously wounded, some of them Pakistani nationals in the explosions aboard the train which runs from India to Pakistan.

Source: Xinhua