Reports reveal that someone had intentionally placed a gas cylinder on the railway tracks between Barrajpur and Bilhaur regions, aiming to derail the train. The loco pilot heard the suspicious sound of the cylinder hitting the train and immediately applied the emergency brakes, bringing the train to a halt and averting a major accident.
Shocking : LPG cylinders were placed on a railway track in Kanpur. A train hit it & an explosion occurred. Luckily no casualty!
Some people desperately want to end the credibility of trains which is lifeline of crores of people.
A big conspiracy it is pic.twitter.com/IFEDkoiLh9
— Mr Sinha (@MrSinha_) September 9, 2024
Swift Emergency Response Kalindi Express
The Railway Protection Force (RPF) and rail authorities quickly sprang into action. Authorities recovered not only the gas cylinder but also glass bottles, a matchbox, and a suspicious bag from the tracks, confirming the malicious intent. After halting the train, the loco pilot informed Guard Rajiv Kumar, who promptly sent a memo to initiate an investigation.
Investigators found evidence of an iron object being dragged along the tracks, adding to the mounting evidence of foul play. RPF Assistant Commandant MS Khan and other officials examined the site and confirmed the presence of these suspicious items.
PRO of the Izzatnagar division, Rajendra Kumar Singh, reported that the train remained stationary for 22 minutes. As a precaution, officials also halted other trains, including the Lucknow-Bandra Express, at nearby stations.
A Disturbing Trend of Rail Jihad
This latest attempt follows a series of similar sabotage attempts across India. On August 31st, a loco pilot in Rajasthan’s Baran district averted a disaster by applying emergency brakes after his goods train collided with motorcycle scrap deliberately placed on the tracks.
Earlier on August 17th, the Sabarmati Express engine derailed near Kanpur after someone placed an object on the tracks. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed that a broken piece of the track had been used to cause the derailment.
On August 22nd, Aligarh Railway Police arrested Afsan for placing an alloy wheel on the tracks to derail a train, trying to recreate the Kanpur incident from August 17th. Two days later, on August 23rd, the Farrukhabad Express narrowly escaped a major accident after encountering a wooden log lodged on the tracks.
These deliberate sabotage attempts have been on the rise, with even reckless individuals like YouTubers trying to gain attention by placing dangerous objects on tracks. Last year, someone attempted to derail the Udaipur-Jaipur Vande Bharat Express by placing stones and rods on the tracks.
Terrorist Threats and Kalindi Express
The involvement of terrorist groups raises further alarm. Recently, a video surfaced showing Pakistan-based Islamic terrorist Farhatullah Ghori calling for large-scale train derailments in India. Ghori instructed his followers to target key cities like Delhi and Mumbai, hoping to create chaos across the nation.
Ghori, linked to multiple terror attacks such as the 2001 Akshardham Temple attack and the 2004 Hyderabad Task Force suicide bombing, openly called for jihad against Indian leaders and infrastructure. His message emphasized disrupting railway lines as part of a larger terror strategy aimed at destabilizing India.
Heightened Security and Vigilance Needed
As authorities continue their investigations, the frequency and boldness of these attempts demand immediate attention. While swift action by loco pilots and RPF officials has prevented major disasters so far, the growing trend of sabotage highlights the need for enhanced security measures.
India’s railway system, which serves millions daily, faces an unprecedented threat. The time has come to ramp up monitoring, improve intelligence-sharing, and take proactive steps to protect passengers and infrastructure from those who seek to cause harm.
