SUKKUR: A blast on the railway line near Shikarpur on Monday resulted in the derailment of three compartments of the Jaffar Express, with at least one passenger sustaining injuries.
According to Jamshaid Alam, Divisional Superintendent of Railways in Sukkur, the train was traveling from Peshawar to Quetta when the explosion occurred close to Sultanpur, near Shikarpur. The force of the blast caused several carriages to jump the tracks, leading to the immediate suspension of train services on this route.
Emergency response teams from Sukkur have been deployed to the scene to conduct rescue operations and begin repairs. Railway officials estimate that it could take up to five hours to clear the track and restore normal operations. Passengers aboard the train faced significant inconvenience and were stranded as a result of the derailment.
The Sindh government has promptly taken notice of the incident and ordered an investigation into the cause of the explosion. Chief Minister Murad Shah also responded swiftly, directing authorities to provide medical aid to the injured and promising a comprehensive inquiry. He characterized the attack as an act against the state and pledged that those responsible would be held accountable.
This is not the first time the Jaffar Express has been targeted. Last month, a similar incident occurred when five carriages derailed after a blast near Jacobabad, disrupting railway services. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in that incident.
Additionally, on March 11, militants affiliated with the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) sabotaged the tracks and took control of the train in a remote area of Bolan district, holding over 440 passengers hostage during a prolonged standoff with security forces. The military operation resulted in the rescue of hostages and the killing of 33 attackers, but not before 26 passengers and four security personnel lost their lives.
