Rajasthan Police & Railways Launch Probe In Railway Track Blast Near International Border

Jaipur: Railway authorities and the Rajasthan police have initiated a joint investigation into a suspected blast on the Anupgarh-Suratgarh railway track in Sri Ganganagar district, with the decision to involve the National Investigation Agency (NIA) pending further evidence. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who inspected Jaipur on Thursday, stated that all facets of the incident are being evaluated, and further actions will be determined following an initial review of the evidence.

Vaishnaw had consulted with the Rajasthan Chief Minister, Director General of Police, and Chief Secretary regarding the matter. Railway and state government personnel are coordinating their inquiries. "All aspects are being examined as part of the preliminary investigation and review. Once the initial evidence is available, the state police will decide whether the NIA's involvement is necessary," Vaishnaw explained.

The explosion transpired around 9:45 pm on Tuesday along the Anupgarh-Suratgarh railway line, about 40 km from the Pakistani border. Reports indicate a passenger train had left Anupgarh for Suratgarh at 8:30 pm. The blast occurred roughly 45 minutes after the train passed a village 50 GB away. The explosion was so forceful that residents of a hamlet situated around 200 meters from the railway track heard a loud bang and hastily exited their homes.

Initially, a road accident was suspected. However, upon inspecting the scene, villagers identified an explosion site near the railway tracks and promptly notified the railway gatekeeper. Police and railway officials were subsequently alerted, and a police team secured the area to prevent unauthorized access. Sri Ganganagar Superintendent of Police Harishankar mentioned that the police are investigating the blast's intensity and the feasibility of a deliberate attempt to harm railway infrastructure.

An Forensic Science Laboratory team has collected samples from the site for forensic analysis. The precise cause and nature of the explosion will be determined only after the forensic report and additional investigation. Authorities are investigating whether the incident was an accident or a deliberate attempt to sabotage the railway line.

The incident has also drawn attention to a significant weapons and explosives seizure in October in the Rawla Mandi area of Sri Ganganagar district, near the Pakistani border. The seized materials comprised 7.750 kg of RDX, two Zigana pistols, four magazines, approximately 867 cartridges, five batteries, and two remote controls.

The weapons and explosives were allegedly dropped from Pakistan via drones. Authorities are investigating whether the railway track explosion might have been a test blast or a targeted action involving a sleeper cell. However, neither hypothesis has been officially affirmed. Another line of inquiry is examining potential connections to terrorist networks based in Pakistan.

Officials are assessing if individuals affiliated with these networks were involved in the incident. No direct link has been established thus far. Additionally, authorities are investigating any past threats targeting railway infrastructure to ascertain if the latest explosion could be linked to such plans.