QUETTA, Dec 23: A special train carrying railway officials to Zahidan from Quetta escaped disaster when a part of the track linking Pakistan with Iran was blown up on Friday evening, apparently an act of sabotage.
Also on Friday, the base camp of Frontier Corps came under rocket attack in the Kohlu township.
Meanwhile, there was little let-up in the action launched by paramilitary forces in different areas of the tribal district of Kohlu and the forces continued their attacks to destroy camps and bases of insurgents.
The situation in Dera Bugti remained tense amid reports of paramilitary troops exchanging fire with armed tribesmen in some part of the district. It is said that at least three tribesmen were injured in an incident of firing on the outskirts of Dera Bugti town.
In the Dalbandin area a Levies official was killed when a hand-grenade exploded.
Reports reaching here said that security forces continued their search for hideouts and camps of Marri tribesmen allegedly involved in subversion activities. Helicopter gunships were helping the paramilitary forces.
Railway authorities in Quetta confirmed that a part of the track linking Pakistan with Iran via Quetta had been blown up.
Sources said that high explosive was planted under the track that went off 10 minutes after the special train had crossed the place. “A peace of around one foot of the track was blown up by the powerful explosion,” railway officials said, adding that the train carrying railway officials safely reached the Ahmedwal station. Pakistan Railways runs twice a month train service on this section.
Reports suggested that five rockets were fired at the Frontier Corps base camp in Kohlu.
Sources in the JWP alleged that law-enforcement personnel opened fire on a vehicle carrying people to a protest meeting. Three people were injured. The base camp of a Chinese construction company came under rocket attack and fire in Talar area of Gwadar.
