QUETTA: Train service remained suspended for sev­eral hours between Quetta and the rest of the country on Friday after twin bomb explosions at the main railway track near the Hirak area of Bolan district.

The Peshawar-bound Jaffar Express narrowly escaped the explosions, which were reportedly planned by unknown militants, said a railway official.

Security officials said two explosive devices were planted at the main track between Mach and Hirak stations. The bombs were detonated with brief intervals, destroying the track in the process.

“The train was at some distance from the Hirak station when the bombs went off,” Waseef Ali Mughal, divisional superintendent of Pakistan Railways, Quetta division, said, adding that the train operator hit the emergency brakes, stopping the train immediately. Despite the fierce attack, there were no casualties and the train itself remained safe. However, a large portion of the track was destroyed.

Soon after the blast, personnel of the Frontier Corps and Levies rushed to the site and cordoned off the area. After the second explosion, the bomb disposal squad was able to get pieces of evidence from the rubble. “A hand-grenade was recovered from the site as well,” a senior security official said.

“All railway traffic, to and from Quetta, was stopped following the attack and operators were asked to halt their trains at various train stations they were close to,” said an official.

Engineers and support staff arrived at the station to repair the track. Train service was restored later in the evening after replacing the damaged track and clearing the area.

Official sources said that the security detail of the tracks were enhanced after the explosions, with security personnel stationed along the lines.

Law enforcement agencies have launched a search operation in the area to arrest those involved in the terrorist attack. Some suspects have been taken into custody for questioning.

Published in Dawn, October 20th, 2018