Peshawar:
The Jaffar Express resumed its operations on the Quetta-Peshawar road, five days after the suspension of the service.
Railway officials said the train had been interrupted due to the destruction of a track and a bridge near Spezand in a September 23 bomb explosion. They confirmed that repair and catering work on damaged infrastructure was now completed.
The suspension occurred after the terrorists exploded a section of the railway near Spezand who left several wounded and disturbed passengers the operations along the route.
The explosion occurred between the stations of Degari Cross Speedent and Sariab, damaging the track and causing the engine and five coaches linked to Peshawar. The authorities think that the explosion took place 30 to 45 minutes before the train reaches the site.
The officials said the device was an improvised explosive planted near the track, which exploded when the train passed. The explosion derailed four bogies and left several passengers, including women and children injured.
The Jaffar Express and Bolan Express, which should start from Quetta, have been canceled, with complete reimbursements given to passengers. The restoration of services depends on the completion of repair work, officials said.
Rescue operations started shortly after the incident, with heavy machines deployed to erase the wreckage, realign the overturned coaches and repair the damaged track. An incident survey was launched.
Earlier in March, the terrorists diverted the Jaffar Express train carrying more than 400 passengers in nine bogies. Before customs clearance operations could begin, the attackers martyred 21 passengers.
