Accident Update: Late-night blast damages Anupgarh-Suratgarh railway line; 2-foot deep crater created below track, 4 trains canceled
A major train disaster was narrowly averted on Tuesday night in Rajasthan's border district of Sri Ganganagar. A powerful explosion occurred along the Anupgarh-Suratgarh railway line at approximately 9:45 PM, causing damage to the railway track. Fortunately, a passenger train had safely crossed the same track just 45 minutes before the blast. The sound of the explosion echoed up to 200 meters away, triggering panic in the nearby area. As a precautionary measure, 4 trains on this route were canceled, and multiple security and investigative agencies have launched a probe.
Blast Creates 2-Foot Deep Crater Beneath Track
According to the police, the intensity of the explosion shattered two concrete sleepers installed beneath the track, leaving a crater about two feet deep between the rails. Circle Inspector Ram Pratap of Ramsinghpur stated that a passenger train had departed from Anupgarh Junction for Suratgarh at 8:30 PM on Tuesday. It crossed the vicinity of 50 GB village around 9:00 PM, and exactly 45 minutes later, the blast took place at that precise spot.
Villagers Alert Administration; Investigation Agencies Arrive Late at Night
Hearing the loud noise of the explosion, residents living in a nearby settlement (dhani) 200 meters away rushed to the tracks. Upon discovering the damaged rails, they immediately notified the police, prompting railway officials and police personnel to reach the site by 11:00 PM.
Given the gravity of the incident, teams from the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and Crime Investigation Department (CID) arrived at the scene around 2:00 AM. Shortly after, at 2:15 AM, Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) Additional SP Surendra Kumar inspected the site to assess the situation.
Sri Ganganagar SP Harishankar stated, "We are thoroughly investigating the intensity of the blast and the elements behind this conspiracy to damage the railway track. A Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team is gathering evidence from the scene." As a precaution, train movement along this line was suspended until 9:00 AM on Wednesday morning, forcing the cancellation of four scheduled trains.
Suspicions of a Larger Conspiracy: RDX and Weapons Seized in October
Security agencies are treating the incident near the Pakistan border with utmost seriousness. Notably, in October this year, security forces recovered a large consignment of arms and explosives from the Rawla Mandi area of the district.
That seizure included 7.750 kg of RDX, two 'Made in Turkey' Zigana pistols, four magazines, approximately 867 live cartridges, five batteries, and two remote controllers. Investigations revealed that the consignment had been dropped into Indian territory from Pakistan using drones. The recent explosion on the railway track is now being examined as a potential link to a larger cross-border sabotage conspiracy.
