Indian Railways suspects sabotage in recent train fires; central agencies launch probe

NEW DELHI: Indian Railways has raised concerns over suspected sabotage regarding a recent string of train fires across the country. In an official statement, the railway authority asserted that these incidents were not accidental, pointing instead to deliberate planning by anti-social elements. Preliminary investigations have already revealed clear signs of foul play.

According to railway officials, technical glitches or routine short circuits have been ruled out as the cause of these blazes. Evidence gathered from multiple sites suggests coordinated intent:

• Rajasthan: Near Amarpura station, a fire broke out after onboard linen was intentionally set ablaze.
• Howrah: Security personnel recovered a petrol-soaked cloth from a train toilet.
• Kota: Investigations into a fire aboard the premium Rajdhani Express revealed that the flames similarly originated inside a coach washroom.

Reaffirming its commitment to passenger safety, the Railways has urged travellers to maintain high vigilance. Passengers have been instructed to immediately report any suspicious activity or unattended objects by dialling the helpline 139.

Given the serious nature of the threat, the Ministry of Railways announced that a comprehensive, high-level investigation has been initiated in coordination with central intelligence and security agencies.