TOBA TEK SINGH: An explosion occurred in a bogie of Karachi bound Shalimar Express near Chatiana Station of Toba Tek Singh district.
Powerful bomb explosion took place inside a bogie of Shalimar Express train while it was moving from Chatiana Station of the district located in Punjab’s province.
Three passengers were killed in the attack including a five-year-old child and at least 20-25 persons were injured by the explosion while stampede found amongst the travellers after the blast.
At least 60 people were on board inside the bogie where the explosion took place as the train was overloaded due to upcoming Eid festival.
Rescue teams have reached the location and shifting the injured persons to nearby hospital situated in Toba Tek Singh.
Emergency has been imposed in all hospitals of Toba Tek Singh district.
Hospital sources said that at least 25 injured persons has been taken to the hospital while the critically injured people may be transferred to Faisalabad hospitals.
Police officials have reached the affected site while bomb disposal squad is collecting the evidences for observing the genre of blast.
A local new channel reported based on sources claimed that owners of Shalimar Express got terror threat in July by unknown miscreant via telephone call from an Afghanistan’s phone number.
However, security measures were not increased by the higher authorities to prevent any mishap as only five police constables were deployed in the train.
Railway sources confirmed for the commencement of investigation over extortion demand from suspected number and Intelligence Bureau (IB) also traced the number belonging to the neighbouring country Afghanistan.
DCO Toba Tek Singh Dr Farah Masood said that at least 20-22 passengers were present in the bogie and all were evacuated by the rescue teams.
Dr Farah Masood refused the reports for receiving any terror threat from miscreants.
Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) officials have declared the train clear from any explosives.
According to Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) report, explosives of 8 to 10 kilograms were planted in the bathroom of the bogie no. 7 which could be more disastrous if installed on passengers’ side.
Federal Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique said that the planted bomb blast was carried by unknown miscreants while it takes time to decide who is responsible.
Federal Minister added that Shalimar Express is operated by private sector and owner of the train got kidnapping threat via telephone call as we cannot link the bomb blast with the threats.
Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique said that there have been no deaths as a result of the blast and he ordered for the provision of quality treatment to the injured ones.
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