Blast damages 600-metre rail track near Sirhind, goods train engine derails

Blast damages 600-metre rail track near Sirhind, goods train engine derails

Fatehgarh Sahib  : A blast on a railway track near Punjab’s Sirhind on Friday damaged a 600-metre stretch of the line and led to the derailment of a goods train engine, officials said. No casualties were reported in the incident, but rail traffic on the affected route was disrupted as authorities rushed to assess the damage and restore services.

According to railway and police officials, the explosion occurred in the early hours near the Sirhind railway section in Fatehgarh Sahib district. The blast damaged a significant portion of the track, causing the engine of a passing goods train to jump off the rails. The train was reportedly moving at a moderate speed when the derailment took place.

Railway personnel were alerted immediately after the incident, and senior officials from the railways and local administration reached the spot. A team of engineers and technical staff was deployed to inspect the damaged track and the derailed engine. Preliminary assessments indicated that nearly 600 metres of the track had been affected by the blast.

Security agencies and local police cordoned off the area and launched an investigation to determine the cause of the explosion. Bomb disposal and forensic teams were also called in to examine the site for any explosive material or suspicious objects. Officials said samples had been collected from the spot and would be sent for laboratory analysis to ascertain the nature of the blast.

A senior police officer said that while the exact cause of the explosion was yet to be confirmed, all angles were being examined. “We are investigating whether it was caused by an explosive device or due to some technical or accidental factor. The area has been sealed, and no movement is being allowed until a thorough check is completed,” the officer said.

Railway authorities temporarily suspended train movement on the affected section as a precautionary measure. Several freight services were either halted or diverted to alternative routes, leading to delays. Officials said restoration work would begin only after clearance from security agencies.

“The priority is to ensure the safety of passengers and railway staff. Once the investigation team gives clearance, repair work on the track will be started on a war footing,” a senior railway official said. Heavy machinery was moved to the site to assist in removing the derailed engine and replacing the damaged rails.

The incident has raised concerns over railway security in the region, prompting authorities to step up patrolling along vulnerable stretches of track. Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel and local police have increased surveillance in nearby areas as a precaution.

Local residents reported hearing a loud sound at the time of the blast, following which smoke was seen rising from the track area. Many villagers rushed out of their homes and alerted authorities after noticing the derailed engine.

Officials said a detailed inquiry would be conducted to establish the sequence of events and identify those responsible, if foul play is confirmed. “Strict action will be taken against anyone found behind the incident,” the police said.

Further details are awaited as investigations continue and restoration work is planned. Railways are expected to issue an advisory once normal operations resume on the affected route.