Peshawar:
Jaffar Express resumed the operations on the Quetta-Peshawar route five days after the service was suspended.
Railways said the train had been stopped due to the destruction of a track and bridge near Spezand in a bomb Explosion September 23. They confirmed that repair and restoration work on the damaged infrastructure is now completed.
The suspension came after terrorists blasted a section of the railway line near Spezand, leaving several passengers wounded and disturbed the operations along the route.
The explosion took place between Degari Cross Speedent and Sariab Railway Stations, which damaged the track and derailed the engine and five coaches in the Peshawar-bound train. Authorities believe the explosion took place 30 to 45 minutes before the train reached the place.
Officials said the unit was an improvised explosive planted near the track that detonated as the train passed. The blast caused four bogies to derail, leaving several passengers, including women and children, injured.
Both Jaffar Express and Bolan Express, scheduled to deviate from Quetta, were canceled with full refund issued to passengers. Recovering services depends on the completion of the repair work, officials said.
Help surgeries began shortly after the incident, with heavy machinery inserted to clear the wreck, adjust the witnessed trainers and repair the damaged track. A study of the incident was initiated.
Earlier in March, terrorists hijacked the Jaffar Express train with over 400 passengers in nine bogies. Before approval operations could begin, martyred attackers 21 passengers.
