A Bolan Mail train partially damaged in Sibi explosion has once again raised concerns over the fragile security situation in Balochistan. The explosion struck the railway track in the Sibi district on Thursday, partially damaging a bogie of the Quetta-bound passenger train. According to officials, the incident occurred while the 3UP Bolan Mail was en route from Karachi to Quetta, passing through more than 20 stops, as per Pakistan Railways’ schedule.
Station Master Murtaza confirmed that the Bolan Mail train partially damaged in Sibi explosion was hit when explosives were detonated on the track between Bakhtiarabad and Damboli. He reported that bogie number seven of the train sustained partial damage in the blast. Fortunately, the train managed to reach the Sibi railway station safely without any casualties.
A statement by Muhammad Kashif, spokesperson for the Quetta Railway divisional superintendent, reiterated that the Bolan Mail train partially damaged in Sibi explosion was caused by an explosion at KM No. 200, between the Damboli and Dangra areas. The blast occurred just as the train passed, but it managed to continue its journey without derailment. As a safety measure, Train 40UP was halted at Dera Murad Jamali Station to prevent further risk.
The Bolan Mail train partially damaged in Sibi explosion is the latest in a series of attacks targeting Pakistan’s railway infrastructure, particularly in Balochistan. The province has witnessed an uptick in terrorist activities over recent years, with train tracks frequently targeted by explosive devices. These attacks have not only caused property damage but also disrupted transportation links between Quetta and the rest of the country.
Train services were only recently restored between Quetta and other regions on March 27, following a major security incident earlier in the month. On March 11, the Peshawar-bound Jaffar Express, carrying 440 passengers, was hijacked near Sibi, leading to the deaths of 21 civilians and four security personnel. A military operation ensued, during which all 33 assailants were reportedly neutralised.
The threat to rail safety remains high. In June, another remotely controlled device exploded on a railway track in Jacobabad, causing four bogies of the Jaffer Express to derail, though no injuries were reported. And in April, the same 3UP Bolan Mail was halted at Jacobabad due to security threats. The Bolan Mail train partially damaged in Sibi explosion serves as a grim reminder of these ongoing risks and the urgent need for enhanced rail security in Pakistan’s most volatile regions.
