Driver’s heroics save lives, thwart bid to blow up Jaffar Express

The Punjab-bound train escapes twin blasts by only 200 feet near Mach railway station

QUETTA: The Punjab-bound Jaffar Express narrowly escaped twin blasts after unidentified terrorists attempted to blow up the passenger train near Mach Railway Station on Friday.

According to officials, the remote-controlled explosive devices were planted on railway track between Mach and Hirak, which exploded only 200 feet away from the targeted train.

“Fortunately the quick response by the driver, Owais-ur-Rehman, has saved many lives because minutes after the first blast, he bravely and professionally controlled the passenger train on one of the most dangerous railway tracks in the country, then the second explosive device went up,” Wasif Ali Mughal, the Divisional Superintendent (DS) Quetta division said, adding no casualty was reported in the twin explosions.



Railway officials, headed by DS Quetta, and security personnel rushed to the scene and cordoned off the area soon after the explosions, which suspended the train service across the province as many arriving and departing trains were intercepted at Sibi and Kolpur railway stations.

The Bomb Disposal Squad, while conducting security clearance of the railway track, found out only 10 to 15 feet chunk of the railway track was partially damaged in the double blast, but, sleepers in the track were completely destroyed.

PHOTO: PPI

“After repairing the track, we have restored train service on Quetta-Punjab and Quetta-Karachi railway tracks for passenger trains,” Mughal said, announcing appreciation reward for the driver.

So far no group claimed responsibility of the attack, however, Baloch separatist groups have attacked Punjab bound trains on Bolan section in the past.

After security clearance, the Frontier Corps Balochistan has granted permission of resuming the train service, which was delayed for hours due to the blasts.