SRI GANGANAGAR: A powerful suspected blast ripped through the Anupgarh-Suratgarh railway line in Rajasthan’s Sri Ganganagar district, located close to the India-Pakistan international border, triggering a high-level security alert and prompting the immediate suspension of train operations in the sector. The explosion damaged two concrete supporting pillars and multiple railway sleepers near the 50 GB section.
The blast occurred approximately 45 minutes after an Anupgarh-Suratgarh passenger train had safely crossed the specific stretch at around 9:00 PM, averting a major casualty. The impact was severe enough to create a two-foot-deep crater beneath the tracks, with local residents reporting that the deafening sound was heard up to 200 metres away. Falling under the jurisdiction of the Ramsinghpur Police Station, the incident forced railway authorities to halt all train movement between Anupgarh and Suratgarh until 9:00 AM as a precautionary measure.
Following the incident, multiple security and intelligence wings were mobilized. Specialized teams from the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), Criminal Investigation Department (CID), canine units, and senior Railway officials rushed to the scene by 2:00 AM to cordon off the area and gather forensic evidence.
Confirming the damage, Sri Ganganagar Superintendent of Police Harishankar stated that two cement pillars supporting the railway line were severely impacted near 50 GB village. He added that a Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team had been deployed to analyze chemical residues at the blast site.
“It is too early to ascertain the exact nature or cause of the incident. There is currently no established link to the recent recovery of 7.5 kg of RDX in the border region. A detailed investigation is underway,” the SP noted.
Investigation Focuses on Sabotage Angle
Investigating agencies are closely probing whether the explosion was a deliberate act of sabotage aimed at disrupting railway infrastructure along the sensitive border area. The precise timing of the blast—occurring shortly after a passenger-laden train traversed the track—has raised significant suspicion among counter-terrorism officials.
While authorities are yet to formally conclude what material caused the explosion or if it was an intentional attempt to derail a passenger train, joint security agencies continue to comb the border area as part of the ongoing probe.
For more details: Navamalayalam.com