LAHORE: The chief controller of Pakistan Railways (PR) and his two deputies were among eight employees suspended from service on Saturday for their `direct or indirect’ involvement in the July 2 train crash that left several troops dead.

Lt Col Amir Jadoon of the engineering battalion of army was among 19 people who lost their lives when the special train fell into a canal near Gujranwala.

Disciplinary action has also been initiated against the suspended officials in light of the report submitted by a joint investigation team of the railways and army officers, says a notification issued by the PR headquarters in Lahore.

Faisalabad Loco Shed assistant driver Muhammad Fayaz and pointsman Shahid Mahmood Bhatti were found directly involved while Chief Controller at Lahore Control Office Zahid Saeed, his deputies Syed Zafar Siddiq Akhtar and Allah Rakha, Section Controller Awais Akhtar, Faisalabad Railway Station Superintendent Ahsanul Haq and Loco Foreman Muhammad Rafiq were found indirectly responsible for the incident.

Published in Dawn, July 26th, 2015

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