Attempt To ‘Sabotage’ Kalindi Express? LPG Cylinder, Petrol Bottle Found On Tracks; Cops Look For ‘Islamic Jamatis’

The loco pilot spotted the LPG cylinder on the tracks and applied emergency brakes.

Kanpur:  It was the alertness and sharp focus of the locomotive pilot of the Bhiwani-Prayagraj Kalindi Express that averted a major train accident as the train was brought to a screeching halt after hitting an LPG cylinder placed on the tracks in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, the police said on Monday, September 9. A bottle of petrol and matchboxes were also recovered from the site hinting at a sabotage bid, said the police.

The loco pilot spotted the LPG cylinder on the tracks and applied emergency brakes, said Additional Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Harish Chandra.

According to the police, the incident occurred around 8.20 pm on Sunday, September 8 when the train was running at a high speed.

An FIR has been registered in the matter and multiple teams have been formed to probe the incident. Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) Rajesh Kumar Singh said the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) has launched an investigation separately.

“An attempt was made to derail the Kalindi Express by placing the LPG cylinder on the tracks. Soon after receiving information about the incident around 8.20 pm on Sunday, senior officials rushed to the site and launched an investigation,” police said adding that a forensics team was also called in and the Railway Protection Force (RPF) is also investigating the matter.

Additional Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Harish Chandra said that the loco pilot applied emergency brakes but, before it came to a halt, the train hit the cylinder, throwing it away from the tracks adding that the loco pilot informed the guard and the gateman about it.

The train halted at the incident site for about 20 minutes and was again stopped at the Bilhaur station to conduct some checks, the ACP said adding that the damaged cylinder was covered and a bottle of petrol and matchboxes were also recovered from the spot.

He said efforts were being made to identify the culprits and they will be dealt with sternly.

The Railways, meanwhile, lodged an FIR at Shivrajpur against unidentified persons, saying that placing an LPG cylinder on the tracks along with a bottle filled with petrol with a wick is a possible sabotage bid.

The FIR has been filed under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Explosives Act, and the Railways Act, police said.

Five teams, headed by senior officials have been formed to investigate the matter.

DCP (West) Singh said the police teams will probe the matter in detail and initiate action against those involved.

Additional DCP (Local Intelligence Unit) has also been asked to gather criminal intelligence about the conspirators and assist police teams in cracking the case, he added.

Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) has also launched its investigation, he added.

It has also been decided to look for “Jamatis” (an Islamic congregation) in the vicinity and question them, official sources said.

A police team has also been dispatched to Kannauj after a sweet box (Siyaram sweets) was found near the site, with officials saying it could lead them to the perpetrators.

(With PTI inputs)