Four bogies of Jaffar Express derail near Gujranwala

LAHORE: Four bogies of the Quetta-bound Jaffar Express on Tuesday derailed near Gujranwala while passengers remained safe except injuries to some. Pakistan Railways sources quoting initial reports said the train driver found the track uneven near the Aminabad Mor and he immediately applied the brake.

Some 13 passengers brought to the DHQ Hospital, Gujranwala, 10 of them were discharged after treatment. No loss of life was reported so far. Jaffar Express was going from Peshawar to Quetta.

Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique expressed sorrow over the incident and directed officials to ensure rescue activities, besides providing immediate help to the passengers. He also directed early clearance of the track and alternate train arrangement, if required.

Railways Chief Executive Officer Javed Anwar, Divisional Superintendent Sufian Sarfraz Doggar and other resultantly his cousin constable Ashiq Jatoi died on the spot. The complainant further said that Nooriabad police then arrested the attackers who were later identified as army officials including Abdul Wahid Janwri, Muneer Ahmed Aalmani, Imtiaz Ali Jiskani and Zardad Awan and a civilian, Shabeer Magsi.

Apart from the content of the FIR, reliable sources informed The News that army officials reached the area to buy a black scorpion for the sum of Rs5 lacs and the deal was about to finalise when some police officials in plain clothes reached the site and snatched the money and fled away. The army officials followed them and opened fire at their car killing constable Ashiq Jatoi.

After the long consultation between higher police and Army authorities, FIR was lodged against four army officials and a civilian Shabeer Magsi who, according to police report, fled away. Afterwards, following the legal formalities, all four army officials were handed over to their institution for further proceedings.

This reporter tried his best to get the official point of view of police and Inter-Service Public Relations (ISPR) but remained unanswered till the filling of this report.