SUKKUR, March 16: The main railway line was damaged on Tuesday by a bomb blast near Mehrabpur early Tuesday morning, forcing suspension of the train service for several hours.

An official of the Pakistan Railways said that following the suspension of the rail traffic, bomb disposal squad from Sukkur and police officers rushed to the spot.

The official said that a report had been sent to the Pakistan Railways headquarters and an inquiry into the incident had been ordered. The official said that rail traffic was restored at 6pm after repair work of the railway line.

Our Khairpur correspondent adds: The railway tracks near Khairpur railway station, damaged by two bomb explosions on Monday, were repaired late night after which trains were allowed to resume their journeys at 2am.

Staff from technical engineering wing, Sukkur and Khairpur, repaired the railway tracks and Allama Iqbal Express was allowed to pass on. Later Sukkur Express down Khyber Mail also resumed journey.

FIR REGISTERED: Khairpur Railway Station Master Abdul Majeed Arejo has lodged an FIR of the bomb blasts with the Padidan railway police against unidentified people on Tuesday.