RAHIM YAR KHAN, Feb 21: Rail traffic on the main line between Karachi and Lahore remained suspended for over eight hours on Saturday night after a goods train derailed near Rahim Yar Khan as a result its guard sustained injuries.

The passenger trains were halted at Rahim Yar Khan, Khanpur, Sadiqabad, Daharki and Rohri railway stations. A rescue team, comprising technical experts from Sukkur, rushed to the spot which restored traffic on the down track by 5am on Sunday morning.

Divisional Superintendent Chaudhry Nazir Ahmed reached the spot and told the press that the reason behind the accident would be known after investigation. However, driver Mir Muhammed said there was no technical fault in the engine and it was a sabotage bid.

R Y Khan District Police Officer Syed Abne Hussain told Dawn that the accident took place due to over speeding. Guard Baber Javaid was shifted to the Sheikh Zayed Hospital and a report of the accident was filed with the Sadiqabad police.