DERA GHAZI KHAN, Feb 3: The Lahore-bound Chiltan Express had a narrow escape when a powerful bomb went off near the Kot Chutta railway station, some 15km from here, on the Dera-Jacobabad section early Thursday morning.

The badly damaged track was repaired and traffic was restored after about five hours. According to reports reaching here, the explosion which took place at about 4.30am left a seven-foot deep crater.

Authorities say the saboteurs apparently exploded the device after seeing the headlight of a locomotive, believing that the Chiltan Express was arriving. The locomotive whose driver managed to apply brakes in time was actually piloting the 22-Dn Chiltan.

The Pakistan Railways, it may be added, has been running pilot engines to save trains from disasters since the beginning of trouble in Balochistan. The staff of the pilot engine informed railway officials after which Chiltan Express was stopped at the Kot Chutta railway station while the Karachi-bound 20-Dn Khushal express coming from Peshawar was stopped at the Dera railway station.