QUETTA: An under-construction railway line, linking Harnai with Sibi, was blown up by unknown militants on Tuesday, according to officials.

Last week, Pakistan Railway restarted passenger and goods trains after 17 years between Sibi and Harnai after laying down a new track and constructing railway bridges.

All railway tracks and bridges were destroyed by the militants due to which train services remained suspended for years.

While confirming the attack, Levies officials said the track in the Sondi area of the Sibi-Harnai section was being constructed to expand railway services in the area.

No loss of life was reported as a result of the attack.

“It was a small blast which damaged a portion of the railway track,” officials said, adding a landmine was used in the explosion.

The labourers and railway staff working at the track stopped working after the blast.

The outlawed outfit BLA claimed responsibility for the attack.

Published in Dawn, August 16th, 2023