Terror Angle In Train Sabotage Attempts? Ashwini Vaishnaw Says Railways Collaborating With NIA To Nab Culprits

Taking note of the rise in train sabotage attempts, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw assured that strict action will be taken against those trying to cause rail accidents.

"Indian Railways is actively collaborating with state governments, director generals of police (DGPs), and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to identify and apprehend the accused," Vaishnaw said.

Notably, the NIA is a Central Counter-Terrorism Law Enforcement Agency in India. The involvement of NIA in train sabotage attempts shows that the Railways is also exploring terror angle.

Speaking to the media in Jaipur on Tuesday (24 September), Vaishnaw emphasised that the railway administration is on high alert and taking these threats seriously.

"Anyone found attempting to cause accidents will face strict action. The railway administration is working with heightened vigilance. Railway Protection Force (RPF) is also active," he stated.

The minister's comments follow a series of incidents where train drivers encountered hazardous objects placed on tracks, seemingly intended to derail trains or endanger passengers' lives.

For instance, on 22 September, a goods train driver traveling from Kanpur to Prayagraj narrowly avoided disaster by stopping the train after spotting a gas cylinder on the track.

On the same day, two more incidents came to light where iron rods were kept on railway tracks in Punjab's Bathinda and railway detonators were found on tracks in Madhya Pradesh's Ratlam.

Additionally, on 21 September, unidentified individuals tampered with a railway track in Uttar Pradesh, removing a fishplate and key. Thanks to the vigilance of railway worker Subhash Kumar, upcoming trains were halted.