LAHORE: A bomb dropped by unknown suspect(s) on Saturday to target a Pakistan Railway workshop near Garhi Shahu did not explode luckily.

Approximately 5-kg explosive material was planted in a water cooler and the suspect threw it from the Garhi Shahu overhead bridge.

Quoting bomb disposable staff, initial police inquiries said the bomb did not explode luckily due to defect in its wiring. A number of officials were working in the workshop when the bomb was dropped.

A senior police official told Dawn the target of the alleged terrorist(s) was the Chinese locomotives stationed at the workshop and the Chinese engineers who occasionally visit there. No Chinese engineer or expert was present at the time when the suspect made the attempt.

The incident created panic among the railway employees who immediately vacated the workshop. A police contingent rushed to the spot and the workshop was closed down.

A search operation was also launched in and around the area when the police personnel were informed that the suspect who threw the bomb was on foot.

The bomb squad told the police that a bunch of nut bolts and ball bearings was found from the bomb.

The police official said intelligence reports had already alerted that the Chinese projects in Pakistan might be targeted.

Published in Dawn, April 26th, 2015

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