Multiple blasts in Balochistan rip off railway tracks, rail traffic disrupted across the region

New Delhi: Suspected insurgents targeted railway tracks with bombs in Pakistan’s restive Balochistan province, affecting the movement of two passenger trains, including the Jaffer Express. The blasts damaged the railway tracks, temporarily disrupting train services. Quetta Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Shahid Nawaz said that a bomb blast in the Mushkaf area on Friday, December 19, damaged approximately three feet of the railway track. Another blast in the Dasht area also damaged the tracks. He said that the Jaffer Express and Bolan Mail passenger trains were targeted in these two incidents.

Train Services From Quetta Affected

Following the blasts, train services from Quetta to other provinces of Pakistan were affected due to damage to the tracks on the main railway line. SSP Nawaz said that the schedule for all passenger trains departing from Quetta from Saturday onwards will be finalized only after receiving security clearance. He emphasized, “The safety of passengers is paramount for us. Special security arrangements are being made for all trains departing from Quetta.”

Special Train Operated Due To Increased Passenger Traffic

Amidst security concerns, a special service of the Jaffer Express was allowed to depart for Peshawar on Saturday. According to railway officials, this special service was operated due to the increased passenger traffic, while regular train services are awaiting security clearance.

Jaffer Express Targeted Multiple Times Before

This is not the first time the Jaffer Express has been targeted. The train has been attacked several times before, and its services have been disrupted multiple times this year. In the past two months, insurgents have attacked the Jaffer Express and Bolan Mail at least three times, damaging the railway tracks, although no lives were lost in these incidents.