Quetta:
A powerful explosion targeted the railway track near Jacobabad on Tuesday, causing the partial derailment of the Jaffer Express, which was en route from Peshawar to Quetta. The incident occurred on a remote stretch of the railway line, temporarily halting train services in the region.
According to Pakistan Railways officials, the blast occurred shortly before noon and caused two coaches of the train to derail. Fortunately, there were no casualties or injuries reported among the passengers and crew onboard. Authorities have credited the train driver’s prompt response and the structural integrity of the carriages for preventing what could have been a major tragedy.
Initial investigations suggest that the explosion was an act of sabotage, though no group has claimed responsibility as of yet. The railway line in Balochistan and surrounding areas has previously been targeted in similar attacks, raising concerns over the safety of passengers and the vulnerability of critical infrastructure.
Railway sources confirmed that the blast caused considerable damage to the tracks, which has led to the suspension of rail services on the affected route. A team of railway engineers has been dispatched to the site, and repair work was launched immediately to restore operations as swiftly as possible.
In response to the incident, Pakistan Railways dispatched a relief train from the nearest depot to assist in removing the derailed coaches and to support the stranded passengers. Alternative arrangements, including bus transport and rerouting, are being made to ensure that affected passengers reach their destinations safely.
Security forces swiftly cordoned off the area and began a search operation to identify and apprehend those responsible for planting the explosive device. Bomb disposal squads are also examining the site to check for additional threats.
Local police and intelligence agencies have joined the investigation. Authorities are exploring the possibility of involvement by banned outfits known to be active in the region. Surveillance footage from nearby railway monitoring posts and signals is being analyzed for leads.
This is the second attack on Pakistan’s railway network in just three days. On June 16, a similar incident occurred in Machh, Balochistan, where an improvised explosive device (IED) caused minor damage to the tracks. These back-to-back attacks are fueling security concerns and prompting calls for greater protection of national rail infrastructure.
Pakistan Railways has pledged to upgrade security on sensitive routes by enhancing coordination with law enforcement agencies, increasing patrolling along key tracks, and investing in surveillance systems. A spokesperson assured passengers that safety remains a top priority and that operations will resume as soon as repairs are complete.
While passengers expressed relief over avoiding harm, they voiced frustration over recurring incidents and demanded long-term measures to prevent future attacks. Rail unions have also raised concerns about employee safety and urged the government to take urgent steps to strengthen protection protocols.
The Ministry of Railways is expected to release a detailed report on the incident after the conclusion of initial investigations. Meanwhile, train services on the affected route are likely to remain suspended for the next 24 to 48 hours.
