GFA Urgent Prayer - Bombs Blast Train in Unreached Area

WEST BENGAL, India, Nov. 20, 2006—Two bombs exploded on a local passenger train 300 miles (500km) north of Calcutta today, killing at least six persons and injuring 50 more, 28 seriously.

The "Haldiwari" local train was making its way from West Bengal's Kujabihar district to Shiliguri district when the explosion destroyed two of the carriages.

"What is so shocking is that this was a local train," said Gospel for Asia President K.P. Yohannan. "This wasn't a major express carrying dignitaries. These were just local, ordinary people killed for no reason."

The media reported that a local "liberation" group, the Commathapur Liberation Organization, was suspected.

"They want their district to be its own state," Dr. Yohannan explained, "but then turn around and kill their own people—innocent people—to further their cause."

Dr. Yohannan said the region is one of the most spiritually unreached in all of India.

"We just started work there two months ago with eight native missionaries, and we already have eight mission stations established," he said.

"But this tragedy is not caused by political rebels. It is the work of the Enemy.

"Jesus said that Satan is the 'god of this world,' and all of these things are being manipulated by him to hinder the work of God. But when I heard this news, I knew that God was already using it to help Christians see the incredible needs of this region.

"So let us start praying that hundreds of churches will be started across northern West Bengal, and that this tragedy will mark the beginning of a new era of God's peace for all of the people of this region."

The GFA President said that Gospel for Asia's Compassion Services would be following up to demonstrate Christ's love in any way possible to those affected by the bombing.