QUETTA, Jan 18: Railway traffic between Quetta and the rest of the country was suspended as the main tracks were blown up near Dera Murad Jamali on Thursday night. According to police sources, an explosive device blew up a portion of the tracks linking Quetta with Sindh, Punjab and the NWFP in Kajla Mor area.

Nasirabad District Police Officer Qazi Hussain said the Jaffar Express and Balochistan Express were due to cross the area when the tracks were blown up.

Railway authorities said the two trains going from the provincial capital had been stopped at Nutal station, while the Quetta-bound trains would be stopped in Jacobabad.

Officials said the traffic was likely to be restored by Friday morning.

Unknown people also blew up an electric pylon of 32kV transmission line in Pash Bogi area, suspending power supply to many parts of Dera Bugti township.