Jaffar Express Derailment in Shikarpur: Several Injured

At least four commuters sustained injuries when an explosion caused the derailment of four carriages of the Jaffar Express near Sultan Kot, a village in Sindh’s Shikarpur region, police reported on Tuesday.

Emergency services and law enforcement quickly arrived at the scene following the incident. The injured were transported to a nearby medical facility to receive treatment.

According to the railways divisional superintendent, all train operations have been temporarily halted in response to the explosion.

The Bomb Disposal Squad is currently analyzing the damaged section of the track to gather evidence. Concurrently, railway authorities have initiated repairs, which are projected to last approximately ten hours, according to officials.

This is not the first incident targeting the Jaffer Express.

In June, an explosion triggered by a remotely activated device resulted in the derailment of four carriages close to the Jacobabad cattle market. Fortunately, that incident resulted in no injuries or fatalities.

Prior to that, on March 11, the train experienced a hijacking. Operatives from the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) fired upon the train’s engine and held over 400 passengers captive within Balochistan.

The armed forces intervened, securing the train and freeing the hostages, eliminating 33 attackers in the process. Before the rescue mission commenced, 26 passengers were killed by the terrorists, and four security personnel lost their lives during the operation.

Separately, Sindh’s Chief Minister, Syed Murad Ali Shah, has voiced strong condemnation of the railway track explosion near Kot Sultan.

He has instructed the Sindh IGP to provide a thorough report regarding the occurrence. Additionally, the Chief Minister has directed the Larkana commissioner to ensure optimal medical care for the injured passengers.

He emphasized the need for prompt assistance to the affected travelers through the deployment of rescue teams.

Moreover, Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar has requested a comprehensive account from Shikarpur SSP Shahzaib Chachar.