QUETTA:
Repair work on two railway bridges near Nushki that were demolished by unidentified armed terrorists on January 31 is yet to begin due to pending security clearance, officials said on Thursday.
The incident was part of a larger wave of coordinated attacks claimed by the outlawed Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) across Balochistan on that date, which targeted security installations, police stations and infrastructure, including railway tracks and bridges. The attacks led to significant casualties on both sides and prompted heightened security across the province.
According to the railway authorities, train operations on the Quetta-Taftan route remain completely suspended due to the damage. This has severed Pakistan’s rail link with Iran, severely disrupting passenger travel and cross-border trade activities. The suspension affects freight and passenger services that rely on this vital route.
Railway sources confirmed that technical teams are fully prepared and on standby to begin restoration efforts. However, the ongoing security situation in the area has prevented any start of the work. Officials stressed that formal repair activities will only proceed once the security agencies give the necessary approval.
It is pertinent to mention that the January 31 attacks involved several targets in Quetta and other parts of Balochistan, including railway facilities. In response, security has been further tightened throughout the region.
Authorities have assured that restoring normalcy remains a top priority. Once conditions have stabilized, the rehabilitation of railway tracks and bridges will be undertaken on an urgent basis to resume train traffic at the earliest. Passengers and traders continue to face significant hardships amid the prolonged disruption.
