QUETTA: Goods train service between Pakistan and Iran was suspended on Tuesday after militants blew up a railway track near Noshki, some 170 km from here.

Levies officials said that the militants planted an explosive device at the railway track linking Quetta with Zahidan and blew it up.

The officials said that a goods train was scheduled to cross the area on its way to Quetta from Zahidan.

“The powerful blast blew up around eight-foot-long portion of the track, suspending train service between the two countries,” they said.

Railways officials, while confirming the incident, said that a team of railway engineers and other staff concerned had reached the area and started repairing the damaged track.

No-one has claimed responsibility for the blast so far.

Security personnel have launched a search operation in the area to trace militants involved in the subversive act.

Published in Dawn, August 16th, 2017