GUWAHATI: Train services on the Alipurduar Division of Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) were briefly disrupted early Thursday morning following a massive blast on the railway track between Salakati and Kokrajhar in Assam’s Bodoland Territorial Region. The blast, believed to have been caused by an improvised explosive device (IED), blew up portions of the track. An NFR official said the incident occurred around 1:00 am when the UP Azara Sugar goods train was passing through the section. The train manager reported a sudden and heavy jerk, prompting an emergency halt. Upon inspection, railway personnel discovered damage to the track and sleepers, suspected to have been caused by an IED. Security forces, including the Railway Protection Force (RPF), Assam Police, and intelligence agencies, rushed to the site and launched a full-scale investigation. While no casualties were reported, the blast led to the detention of at least eight trains, causing temporary disruption of services. NFR officials confirmed that restoration work was completed by 5:25 am, and normal train operations resumed shortly thereafter. Patrolling has been intensified across the section to ensure safety and prevent further incidents. “We are treating this as a serious security breach. All agencies are coordinating to identify the perpetrators and ensure the safety of passengers and railway assets,” said a senior NFR official. The incident has raised concerns over the vulnerability of critical infrastructure in the region, especially in light of past insurgent activities. Authorities are yet to confirm the motive or the group behind the suspected attack. No outfit has claimed responsibility so far, and security agencies are investigating to determine who could be behind the blast. Further updates are awaited as the investigation progresses.
