Patiala Railway Track Blast Was ‘Attempted Detonation’, Suspect Killed in Explosion: Police

Chandigarh- A blast reported on a railway track in Punjab’s Patiala district has now been confirmed as an attempted detonation, with the suspected operative killed during the explosion, police officials said on Tuesday.

According to authorities, the incident occurred late Monday night near the Shambhu-Ambala rail section, a route primarily used by freight trains. What was initially believed to be a low-intensity explosion has, upon further investigation, been identified as a deliberate attempt to trigger a blast on the tracks.

Senior Superintendent of Police Varun Sharma stated that the individual allegedly trying to carry out the detonation died at the scene. The body, which was severely damaged in the blast, has been recovered and is being examined for identification.

Police teams, along with senior officers, rushed to the site shortly after receiving information around 10 pm. The explosion caused partial damage to the railway track, prompting a detailed forensic and technical investigation.

During the search operation, investigators recovered crucial evidence, including a SIM card, which is now being analysed to trace possible links and uncover the wider network behind the incident.

Authorities said multiple agencies, including the Government Railway Police and the Railway Protection Force, are working together to piece together the sequence of events and identify any larger conspiracy.

Officials expressed confidence that the investigation would soon reveal more details about the motive and those involved.

The incident comes months after a similar explosion in January on a freight corridor track in Punjab’s Fatehgarh Sahib district, which had damaged a train engine and injured a loco pilot, raising concerns over railway security in the region.