Explosion on rail track in Rajasthan, probe by central agencies on

Udaipur, November 13

An explosion occurred on a railway track here on Sunday, hours before the recently inaugurated Asarwa-Udaipur Express train from Ahmedabad was supposed to pass. The police said they were investigating all angles, including sabotage.

Severe punishment for accused

The accused will be severely punished. The NIA and other investigating agencies are at the site. The bridge restoration team is also on the job. Ashwini Vaishnaw, railway minister

Mining explosives used

Asarwa-Udaipur Express was supposed to pass hours before the blast. Officials say mining explosives were used to damage the tracks. CM Gehlot orders the DGP to probe the matter.

Officials said mining explosives were used to damage the tracks on Odha bridge near Kewda Ki Naal, which comes under the Jawar Mines police station of Udaipur.

“Local people informed us about the explosion in the morning. We have found some explosives on the track and efforts are being made to identify those responsible,” local SHO Anil Kumar Vishnoi said.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the blast was reported about 35 km from Udaipur. “We have our best on the spot — ATF, NIA and RPF. The accused will be severely punished,” he said.

The bridge restoration team is also on the site.

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said the incident was worrying and ordered Director General of Police Umesh Mishra to investigate the matter.

Mishra said efforts were being made to identify and arrest those responsible. “Necessary action is being taken in coordination with railway officials,” he said.

The DGP further said Central agencies were cooperating in the investigation.

Teams of the forensic science laboratory and the anti-terrorist squad visited the spot and conducted the investigation.

Another police official said a “Superpower 90” detonator was used for the explosion. “The blast appears to be well-planned. Due to the alertness of the local people, the matter came to light and a major incident was averted,” he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had flagged off the inaugural run of the Asarwa-Udaipur Express from the Asarwa railway station in Ahmedabad on October 31.

Following the explosion, the train was halted at the Dungarpur station, a railway spokesperson said.

Udaipur Superintendent of Police Vikas Sharma said all angles, including sabotage, were being probed and the work to restore the tracks was underway.

“Police and railway officials are at the spot and conducting an investigation,” the SHO said.