Goods train falls into ravine

Published October 12, 2006

ATTOCK, Oct 11: Many bogies of a goods train, loaded with sugar, fell in a deep ravine after the derailment from Jhallar bridge on Tuesday evening some 25-km away from Attock city Railway station, causing suspension of rail traffic between Attock-Kundian railway section for about 22 hours, Dawn has learnt.

Sources told this reporter that a Peshawar-bound goods train, coming from Kundian, derailed at Jhallar railway bridge between Jhallar and Attock railway stations on Tuesday 6 pm. The train was carrying a heavy sugar’s consignment. Except for some loss of sugar, no loss of life was reported in the incident, sources said.

After the incident, railway authorities dispatched a relief train carrying engineering staff to the site, while Chief Engineer, Pakistan Railway and other high railway officials were also rushed to the area to supervise the rescue operation.

Many express trains to and from Attock station including Khushhal Khan Khattak express, Mari Indus Railcar and Mehr express were diverted to Golra Railway junction to connect Rawalpindi-Kundian railway section. However, trains delayed because they had to cover extra distance of about 150 km to reach their destinations, sources said.

While the bridge also partially damaged due to the train’s derailment, which was being repaired, sources maintained. However, the rail traffic was restored after 22-hour-long rescue operation and repair of damaged rail track on Wednesday at 4 pm.

Station master Attock railway Station Malik Ejaz Anwar has confirmed the derailment of goods train.