UP: Train Hits 6 Kg Log On Tracks, Probe Launched Over Possible Sabotage Attempt

A passenger train struck a large piece of wood deliberately placed on the tracks on Thursday night, an incident suspected to be a sabotage attempt in Uttar Pradesh.

This event follows a recent string of concerning occurrences on the railways, including the discovery of an empty gas cylinder on tracks near Prempur railway station in Kanpur and ten detonators found on railway tracks in Madhya Pradesh's Burhanpur district, allegedly in an attempt to target a train carrying army personnel.

Photo Credit: PTI

The Bareilly-Varanasi Express (Train No. 14236), running between Delhi and Lucknow, collided with the two-foot-long piece of wood, which weighed over six kilograms and was dragged some distance. The wood became stuck beneath the metal wheels, railway officials reported. Fortunately, the driver, or loco pilot, managed to halt the train without incident.

The obstruction damaged a signalling device on the tracks, affecting the Lucknow-Hardoi lines and causing other trains in the area to proceed with caution.

An FIR has been filed at Malihabad police station, and local station masters have been alerted. An inspection team was dispatched to investigate, and they, along with the loco pilot, eventually managed to remove the wood after considerable effort, causing a two-hour delay to railway traffic.

Railway Protection Force personnel also attended the scene, securing the area and assisting in the removal of the obstruction. Officials stated that the central government is treating these recent incidents of suspected sabotage with utmost seriousness and has tasked the National Investigation Agency (NIA) with investigating.

In September, ten detonators were found on tracks near Sagphata station in Madhya Pradesh, where they appeared to target an army special train travelling from Jammu and Kashmir to Karnataka.

Fortunately, the train was safely stopped after the loco pilot heard an explosion as the train passed over the detonators. Similarly, on 22 September, an empty gas cylinder was found on tracks near Prempur railway station in Kanpur, causing a freight train driver to engage emergency brakes.

The NIA has now begun preliminary inquiries into potential sabotage connections in recent train derailments and incidents, although officials have stated that no firm evidence has yet emerged linking these accidents to deliberate interference. The investigation agency is currently examining four such cases.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, addressing concerns last month, confirmed that the railway administration was on alert for possible sabotage attempts. He noted that discussions with relevant authorities, including the NIA and police from several states, were ongoing.