![Quetta-bound cargo train derails near Taftan](https://nextpakistan.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/DNA-45-12-696x365-1.jpg)
- April 14, 2024
- Kainat Shakeel
- 0
LAHORE: The train carrying freight from Pakistan to Iran was derailed on Saturday near Tozgi station, around 70 kilometers from Taftan town, causing the suspension of train services between the two nations. Phosphate was being transported from Iran to Pakistan via a cargo train that had some passenger coaches attached, Pakistan Railways (PR) CEO Amir Ali Baloch informed Dawn. The terrifying derailment severely damaged a staff rest bus, many wagons, and the locomotive. The PR CEO stated that it “cannot be ruled out” that the authorities believe this was a terrorist act.
In light of the deaths in Noshki on Friday night, when assailants shot and killed nine individuals after kidnapping them from a bus, Mr. Baloch said the event was being investigated. Additionally, he claimed that a day ago, militants destroyed a section of a track close to Noshki. He noted that a probe to determine the reasons behind the incident had been ordered. He said, “The train was derailing because it was speeding a little bit.” to an inquiry. Once the area was accessible to public relations, they promised to restore the damaged track where the disaster had occurred.
This past week, when the company operates special trains to carry passengers traveling to celebrate Eidul Fitr with their families, saw at least three significant incidents, including the derailment of the Taftan. Reportedly, last week in the late hours of Sunday, the Rehman Baba Express, headed for Peshawar, collided with a dumper truck close to Faisalabad. The force of the collision split the lorry in half when it crossed the railway line at an unattended level crossing at the Pakka Anna-Gojra section. Massive damage was also sustained by a passenger coach and the locomotive, and the engine driver and his aide were seriously hurt. To extract the driver and his helper, the rescue crews had to make cuts through the locomotive’s body.
Trains’ arrival at the Faisalabad station was delayed for hours due to the accident, which halted rail activity on the Khanewal-Faisalabad segment. The third incident happened on Friday when an Allama Iqbal Express coach headed for Karachi caught fire close to Sargodha. A head constable of the Railway Police observed fire beneath carriage No. 6 while the train was crossing Sahiwal Junction, according to sources. Witnesses reported that Muhammad Amin Sindhu, upon noticing the fire, hurried to the assistant station master’s office, where he raised a red signal within the outside signal range, thereby stopping the train. Witnesses reported that before the train was stopped at Sahiwal station, some people had leaped off.
Afterward, the PR police extinguished the fire and successfully discharged the passengers. After an hour and a half of delay, the train finally departed for its destination after the damaged carriage was brought to the yard. In addition to mishandling and mishaps, the PR operations suffered, causing great distress for the passengers. Thursday, several passengers aboard the Rawal Express headed for Rawalpindi reported that ticketless individuals were sitting in the seats of confirmed reservation holders. They said that by allowing people without tickets to board the train, the crew severely hampered the experience of those who had tickets.
Another embarrassing incident for the PR occurred a few days ago when a video of a Railways Police officer punching a woman passenger and her kids on a moving train went viral. There have been reports that Constable Meer Hasan assaulted the passenger on Millat Express during the incident. Senior Railways Police officials intervened and detained the policeman when the incident’s video went viral. The Hyderabad Railways Police Station likewise recorded a case, but the defendant was sent free upon obtaining court-issued bail.