An explosion rocked a railway track in Pakistan’s Balochistan, overturning several bogies of the Jaffar Express. The blast occurred in Mastung’s Dasht area.
According to reports, three coaches were damaged, and rescue teams rushed to the site. Visuals from the incident showed officials pulling trapped women and children from the coaches. The train was derailed following the explosion.
Two explosions were reported on the track, with the second blast occurring just a few hours after the first, while the Pakistani military was clearing the stretch. The incident has raised serious questions over the safety of passengers.
On August 11, a similar bomb blast occurred on a railway track in Balochistan’s Mastung district, derailing six bogies of the Jaffer Express, an official said on Sunday, Dawn reported.
Muhammad Kashif, public relations officer of the Pakistan Railways’ Quetta division, told Dawn.com, “A bomb attached to the railway track exploded loudly, derailing six bogies of the train. Fortunately, there was no loss of life.”
The incident occurred near the Spezand station in Mastung’s Dasht tehsil, when the train was heading from Quetta to Peshawar City station with 350 passengers on board, Dawn added.
“Security forces and rescue teams rushed to the site as soon as they were alerted about the incident, and began a search operation after cordoning off the area,” Kashif said, according to Dawn.
He further noted, “Four bogies of the Jaffar Express had been placed back on the track, while efforts were underway to restore the other two.”
A relief train of the Pakistan Railways brought the 350 passengers back to Quetta, while bogies stuck on the track will be returned to the city as well, Kashif said in a later statement, adding that all tickets will be refunded, Dawn reported.
