Jaffar Express narrowly escapes big disaster

The security forces defused a bomb containing over 3.5 kilograms of explosive material near a railway track in Dera Murad Jamali area of Naseerabad, averting what police described 'a major disaster'.

The Bomb Disposal Squad successfully neutralised the device and restored train operations. Police officials said the Quetta-bound Jaffar Express would have suffered devastation had the bomb not been discovered in time.

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Information was received about suspicious activity near the railway tracks, police officials said. This prompted Sadar and Railways police to rush to the scene. During the search, they found a bomb concealed in a plastic bag on a dirt path adjacent to the tracks. The device had been planted for detonation through a remote control or timer.

Jaffar Express travelling from Peshawar to Quetta was due to pass through the same track. Police officials said, had the explosion occured, it would have killed a large number of passengers and severely damaged railway infrastructure.

District Police Officer Naseerabad Shehzada Umar Abbas Babar told Express News, the vigilance of security forces had foiled a nefarious terrorist conspiracy. He confirmed the device had been defused and train operations restored.

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An FIR has been registered under the Anti-Terrorism Act while police have intensified search in the area and conducting raids to arrest suspects. Railways officials have appealed the passengers and general public to immediately report any suspicious object or activity to relevant authorities.