Blast derails Jaffar Express near Shikarpur; four passengers injured

SHIKARPUR: At least four passengers were injured after four carriages of the Jaffar Express derailed near Sultan Kot in Shikarpur after an explosion on the railway track on Tuesday.

According to security sources, the Jaffar Express was travelling from Peshawar to Quetta when the blast occurred. Reports indicated that several passengers sustained injuries.

A spokesperson for Pakistan Railways said rescue teams had been dispatched to the site. The explosion caused panic in the area, and train operations were temporarily suspended.

Police said that the blast took place as the Jaffar Express was passing through the Sultan Kot Station.

The four injured passengers were shifted to a nearby hospital for initial medical treatment.

Earlier on September 29, a train accident involving the 146 DN Sukkur Express train occurred near Hyderabad, resulting in the derailment of three bogies. The train was en route from Sukkur to Karachi, when it ran into an accident near Hyderabad.

On September 23, the Jaffar Express was also hit by a similar explosion on the track while travelling from Peshawar to Quetta.

That incident occurred a few kilometres from Quetta, between the Degari Cross, Spezand, and Sariab railway stations, derailing the engine and five coaches.

Following the earlier blast, Jaffar Express services had been suspended for several days.

In August, the Ministry of Interior decided to seek help from the Federal Constabulary (FC) to assist Pakistan Railways (PR) in safeguarding railway tracks, rolling stock, and reclaiming valuable commercial land from illegal occupants across major cities.

During a meeting held at the Pakistan Railways headquarters in August, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi had assured Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi of full support from the FC for joint operations aimed at retrieving railway land that has been illegally seized, particularly in urban centers.