Blast damages railway track near Pakistan border in Rajasthan; trains cancelled

JAIPUR: An explosion was reported on a railway track near the Pakistan border in Sri Ganganagar district of Rajasthan. The blast occurred on the Anupgarh-Suratgarh railway line, damaging the track. Train services between Anupgarh and Suratgarh have been cancelled following the incident. The Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has launched an investigation to examine all possible angles, including the possibility of a terror attack.

The incident took place within the limits of the Ramsinghpur police station. Two concrete pillars supporting the railway track were destroyed in the blast. Some of the railway sleepers were also damaged. A crater nearly two feet deep was formed beneath the track. The sound of the explosion was reportedly heard up to 200 metres away.

A train travelling from Anupgarh to Suratgarh had passed through the area around 9 pm on Tuesday. The explosion occurred about 45 minutes later. Investigators suspect that the blast may have been an attempt to derail a passenger train.

The Anti-Terrorism Squad, Criminal Investigation Department, dog squad, various security agencies and railway officials reached the spot and conducted inspections. Another team of security personnel arrived around 2 am for further checks. Forensic experts and the bomb disposal squad are also expected to visit the site.