Train services experienced disruptions in lower Assam and northern West Bengal early Thursday morning following an explosion on the railway tracks in the Kokrajhar district. Officials reported that a suspected improvised explosive device detonated on the tracks, causing damage to a section of the railway line.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated that authorities have identified a suspect believed to be involved in the incident. The explosion occurred at approximately 1 a.m. near the Kokrajhar railway station, approximately 5 kilometers towards Salakati in the Alipurduar division of the Northeast Frontier Railway. According to an official, the blast tore apart about three feet of the railway line, scattering track fragments over a considerable distance.
Kokrajhar’s Senior Superintendent of Police, Pushpraj Singh, confirmed that there were no reports of injuries or train derailments. He added that the damage was confined to a small portion of the track, which was quickly repaired, allowing train services to resume. However, train movement was suspended overnight, impacting several trains until around 8 a.m.
Railway and security personnel conducted thorough inspections of the affected area before restoring normal operations. Security measures have been intensified along the route, and an investigation is in progress to identify and apprehend all individuals responsible.
Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, the Chief Public Relations Officer for NFR, explained that a goods train experienced a severe jolt while passing between Salakati and Kokrajhar. Upon stopping and inspecting, damage to the track and sleepers caused by a suspected bomb blast was discovered.
State police, the Railway Protection Force, and intelligence agencies are actively investigating the matter. Sharma also noted that track repairs were completed by 5:25 a.m., leading to the resumption of normal train services, with approximately eight trains having been delayed due to the incident.
Chief Minister Sarma highlighted the quick response of a loco pilot who noticed the damage and alerted railway police, potentially averting a more severe situation. He mentioned that the identified suspect has multiple cases registered against him in Assam and Jharkhand, and the Assam Police are working to apprehend him. Regarding the potential involvement of any militant group, Sarma stated that while one person has been identified, further investigation is needed to determine if any organization is behind the act.
Note: This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to the text.