Suspected blast damages railway track near India-Pakistan border in Rajasthan
Authorities suspended train services between Anupgarh and Suratgarh after an explosion damaged concrete pillars and created a crater.
A suspected blast damaged a railway track in Rajasthan's Sri Ganganagar district near the India-Pakistan international border on Tuesday night. The explosion occurred near 50 GB village on the Anupgarh-Suratgarh railway line, according to reports from News18, India TV and ANI.
The blast, which took place around 9:45 pm, damaged two concrete pillars supporting the track and left a crater nearly two feet deep. The impact reportedly damaged railway sleepers and exposed steel reinforcement bars inside the pillars. The explosion occurred approximately 45 minutes after a passenger train had passed through the area.
Security agencies, including the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), Criminal Investigation Department (CID), a dog squad, and the Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS), reached the site to investigate. A forensic science laboratory (FSL) team was also called to examine the evidence.
Sri Ganganagar SP Harishankar said it is too early to determine the exact nature of the incident or whether it was an explosion. He stated that it would be premature to conclude if it was a blast or something else. Harishankar also said there is no established link with the 7.5 kg of RDX recently recovered in the border region.
As a precautionary measure, train services between Anupgarh and Suratgarh were suspended. Two passenger trains, 59711/12 and 59715/16, were cancelled to facilitate the investigation and ensure safety.
An investigation is currently underway under the jurisdiction of the Ramsinghpur Police Station to establish the cause of the incident.