Key Points
- Committee directs Pakistan Railways to install three jammers on every train to deter remote-controlled attacks.
- Enhanced patrolling ordered in sensitive regions, with collaboration from security forces.
- Officials confirmed that the Jaffar Express was hit by an IED near Sultan Kot on Oct 7, injuring seven.
- The panel also reviewed railway land management and the Karachi Freight Corridor Project.
ISLAMABAD: In a strong response to growing threats against the railway system, the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Railways has called for tighter safety measures across Pakistan’s train network, including the installation of signal jammers on every train and increased patrolling in high-risk areas.
The committee, led by Ramesh Lal, met in Islamabad to address recent railway incidents, particularly the October 7 attack on the Jaffar Express. In this tragic event, a remote-controlled bomb exploded near Sultan Kot Railway Station in Sindh at around 8:15 a.m., causing five train bogies to derail. The explosion injured seven people, including railway staff, and seriously damaged the track. Emergency responders from Sukkur, Larkana, and Shikarpur rushed to the scene.
Officials told the committee that the improvised explosive device (IED) was planted on the tracks and set off using a remote control, with several explosive materials involved. The attackers remain unidentified, though intelligence and law enforcement agencies are working together to track them down.
To prevent such attacks in the future, the committee has directed the Railways Ministry to install three signal jammers on every train, which would block remote signals used to detonate bombs. The panel also instructed that joint patrols, especially in sensitive zones, be intensified with the help of security forces, including the Frontier Corps (FC).
But this was not the only attack under discussion.
In a moment of reflection, the committee revisited a harrowing incident from March 11, when Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) militants hijacked the Jaffar Express in Balochistan. Over 400 passengers were taken hostage in a brazen attack that shocked the nation. The military launched a dramatic rescue operation, during which 33 militants were killed. However, the tragedy claimed the lives of 26 passengers and four security personnel, who were martyred during the operation.
Beyond the immediate security threats, the committee also reviewed broader railway concerns, such as the management of railway land and progress on the Karachi Freight Corridor Project, a major initiative aimed at boosting trade and cargo efficiency.
In closing, the committee reaffirmed its commitment to passenger safety, urging authorities to move swiftly in implementing the new security measures. With growing risks and repeated threats, members stressed that protecting lives and rail infrastructure must remain a top priority.
