In a shocking incident that once again highlights the persistent threat to Pakistan’s transport infrastructure, a powerful explosion ripped through a section of the railway track near Somerwah, close to Sultan Kot in Shikarpur district, on Tuesday morning. The blast resulted in the derailment of two carriages of the Jaffar Express the passenger train travelling from Peshawar to Quetta and left four individuals injured.
Eyewitnesses reported a loud explosion moments before the train partially derailed, sending passengers into panic. Rescue teams, railway officials, and law enforcement personnel swiftly reached the site to evacuate the injured and provide immediate medical assistance. The wounded were later shifted to a nearby hospital, where doctors described their condition as stable.
According to initial police reports, the explosion occurred just as the Jaffar Express was passing through the Somerwah section, damaging a stretch of the railway line and halting train operations on the route. “We are conducting a thorough investigation to determine the nature and motive behind the blast,” a police spokesperson said, confirming that a joint inquiry involving the police, Rangers, and railway authorities is now underway.
Heavy contingents of police and Rangers have cordoned off the area and launched a sweeping search operation to rule out the presence of additional explosive devices. Experts from the Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) are examining the debris to ascertain whether the explosive was planted on the track or remotely detonated.
Railway officials have temporarily suspended train movement between Sukkur and Jacobabad as restoration work on the damaged track continues. Preliminary findings suggest that the explosion was intended to target railway operations and could be linked to sabotage or militant activity.
The Jaffar Express, one of Pakistan Railways’ key inter-provincial passenger trains, connects Peshawar and Quetta, carrying hundreds of travelers daily. The attack underscores the need for enhanced surveillance and security protocols to protect vital infrastructure and civilian movement across the country.
