LAHORE: The arrival of Shah Hussain Express at the Lahore railway station was delayed for over two hours on Saturday after a chain and sprocket were hurled at the locomotive on the way, breaking its windshield.

The assistant driver of the train received a minor injury as the sprocket brushed his ear and caused bleeding, according to an office-bearer of the train drivers association (Multan division).

The Lahore-bound Shah Hussain Express was suddenly halted at about 11am near Abdul Hakim station, around 40km from Khanewal, after someone standing near the track threw a chain and sprocket of a motorcycle at the locomotive. The driver immediately applied brakes and informed the control room.

On receiving information, the Khanewal station staff was asked to dispatch a new locomotive since the crew was unable to operate the damaged engine.

“It took nearly two hours to replace the damaged engine and get the train moving,” the association official said.

On the other hand, the Pakistan Railways has ordered an inquiry into the incident.

Published in Dawn, March 7th, 2021