Sabotage on the Tracks? Explosion Rips Through Amritsar–Delhi Railway Line in Punjab

Sabotage? Explosion damages Amritsar–Delhi railway line in Fatehgarh Sahib; loco pilot injured

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What Happened? The Night the Tracks Blew Up

Just after midnight on Saturday, January 24, 2026, a deafening blast shattered the silence near Khanpur village in Punjab’s Fatehgarh Sahib district. The target? A vital section of the Amritsar–Delhi railway line—one of the most heavily trafficked rail corridors in northern India.

Preliminary reports from the Northern Railway zone confirm that approximately 12 feet of track was ripped apart by the explosion . Moments later, a passing freight train derailed partially as its wheels hit the damaged section. The loco pilot sustained injuries and was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he is currently stable but under observation.

The timing—deep in the night—suggests deliberate planning. No civilian casualties were reported, likely because passenger trains were not scheduled on that segment at the time. But the precision of the strike has raised immediate red flags among security agencies.

Why Sabotage Is the Leading Theory

While investigations are ongoing, senior officials from the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Punjab Police have indicated that sabotage is the primary working hypothesis. Key reasons include:

  • No accidental cause identified: No gas leak, electrical fault, or equipment malfunction has been found at the site.
  • Explosive residue detected: Forensic teams recovered traces consistent with low-intensity improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
  • Remote, unguarded location: The blast site near Khanpur is sparsely populated and lacks continuous surveillance, making it vulnerable to tampering.

A multi-agency probe involving the National Investigation Agency (NIA), state police, and railway intelligence has been launched. Authorities are reviewing CCTV footage from nearby stations and checking for suspicious movements in the 48 hours prior to the blast.

The Injured Loco Pilot and Emergency Response

The unnamed loco pilot, who was operating the goods train en route from Ludhiana to Delhi, displayed remarkable presence of mind. Despite the sudden jolt and derailment, he managed to apply emergency brakes, preventing a more catastrophic outcome.

“He saved lives tonight,” said a senior railway official. “Had this been a passenger train at full speed, the consequences could have been devastating.”

Railway crews arrived within 90 minutes and began emergency repairs. By dawn, a temporary track alignment was laid, allowing limited traffic to resume under strict speed restrictions. Full restoration is expected within 48 hours, but all trains on the route are currently experiencing delays of 2–4 hours.

Disruption to One of India’s Busiest Corridors

The Amritsar–Delhi line is not just any route—it’s a lifeline:

  • Over 50 daily trains operate on this corridor, including the Shatabdi, Vande Bharat, and numerous intercity expresses.
  • It connects key economic hubs: Amritsar (tourism, trade), Jalandhar (manufacturing), Ludhiana (textiles), and Delhi (national capital).
  • Freight movement includes agricultural produce, textiles, and industrial goods critical to Punjab’s economy.

Even a short disruption cascades across the network. Passengers heading to the Republic Day parade in Delhi or returning from weekend trips to the Golden Temple faced significant uncertainty. Indian Railways has advised travelers to check [INTERNAL_LINK:live-train-status] for real-time updates.

Broader Implications for Railway Security

This incident exposes a glaring vulnerability: despite advances in station security, thousands of kilometers of open track remain unprotected. According to a 2023 report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), only 38% of high-risk rail sections in Punjab have round-the-clock surveillance or patrol coverage.

Experts warn that non-state actors or extremist groups could exploit such gaps. “Railways are soft targets with high symbolic and strategic value,” says Dr. Anjali Mehta, a security analyst at the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA). “A single successful attack can paralyze regional connectivity and instill mass fear.”

In response, the Ministry of Railways is expected to fast-track the installation of AI-powered intrusion detection systems and increase RPF foot patrols along sensitive stretches.

Past Attacks on Indian Rail Infrastructure

This is not the first time India’s rail network has been targeted:

  1. 2006 Mumbai local train bombings: Coordinated attacks killed 209 people.
  2. 2016 Samjhauta Express arson: Though not an explosion, it highlighted cross-border vulnerabilities.
  3. 2021 Assam–Bengal line sabotage: Suspected insurgent group damaged tracks in Dhubri.

However, attacks in Punjab’s heartland have been rare since the 1990s. The recurrence in Fatehgarh Sahib—a district with historical significance in Sikh militancy—has reignited concerns about dormant networks reactivating.

Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call for National Rail Safety

The Amritsar–Delhi railway line explosion is more than a localized crime—it’s a stark reminder of the fragility of critical infrastructure. While the quick response prevented mass casualties, the very fact that explosives could be planted undetected on a major trunk route demands urgent systemic reform. As investigations unfold, one thing is clear: securing India’s railways requires not just better technology, but a shift from reactive policing to proactive intelligence-led protection.

Sources

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