Five die in Balochistan railway track blast

NASIRABAD: The railway track near Rabbi area in Dera Murad Jamali sub-district of Nasirabad was blown up and five bogies of Jaffar Express derailed, killing at least five persons on Sunday. The train was going to Quetta. Eight persons sustained injuries in the incident. The rescue teams reached the spot and started shifting the victims to hospital.

The explosion damaged the railway track as well and movement of other trains was also affected. The authorities have started interrogating the matter. Furthermore, it has been learnt that railway officials are trying to repair the track as soon as possible.

It was reported the explosion left five dead including a mother and daughter and injured 12. Five of train’s bogies overturned. Noor Bano, Sadia Bibi, Tahir and Shahzad died on the spot, while the injured included Muhammad Javed, Gulab Khan, Ali Asghar, Suleman Shah, Seedar Ali Shah and Saira Bibi. The explosion occurred because of a remote-controlled device, the police said.

After providing immediate medical aid, the injured were referred to Larkana and Sukkur hospitals.

District Police Officer Irfan Bashir said that suspected terrorists planted an improvised explosive device at the railway track to target the Jaffar Express. As the passenger train reached Dera Murad Jamali, there was a blast, which damaged a portion of the track. Jaffar Express was going from Rawalpindi to Quetta when attacked, he said. The injured were shifted to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. Police and personnel of other law enforcement agencies reached the spot as investigation into the incident was under way.

Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Jam Kamal Khan Alyani strongly condemned the incident and vowed that those involved in this crime would be brought to justice. He regretted the incident and termed it an act of vandalism. Those who make innocent people a target should be punished, he maintained. The chief minister issued orders to beef up security along the track.

Meanwhile Balochistan Home Minister Mir Zia Lango also condemned the incident. He said that the best possible healthcare facilities shall be offered to the victims. On the occasion, he directed Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) to ensure severe punishment for those who are involved in such heinous acts.