The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Railways has instructed Pakistan Railways to install signal jammers on all trains and enhance patrolling in sensitive areas to ensure passenger safety. The decision was made during a requisitioned committee meeting chaired by MNA Ramesh Lal, following heightened security concerns after the Jaffar Express explosion. The committee recommended that each train be equipped with at least three jammers to prevent such incidents in the future, emphasizing the need for proactive safety measures across the railway network.
Officials from Pakistan Railways briefed the committee about the October 7 incident, where the Jaffar Express was targeted with an improvised explosive device near Sultan Kot Railway Station in Sindh. The explosion caused five bogies to derail and damaged the track, resulting in injuries to seven passengers, including railway employees. They were promptly taken to Civil Hospital Shikarpur for treatment. Law enforcement and rescue teams from Sukkur, Larkana, and Shikarpur reached the site soon after the attack to assist in recovery and restoration efforts. The committee expressed concern over the increasing frequency of such incidents and urged stronger coordination among security agencies to protect passengers and railway assets.
The Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Railways Police informed members that the explosion was triggered remotely using four to five explosives. He stated that sensitive agencies are actively supporting the investigation to identify those responsible. To prevent further incidents, joint patrolling efforts between Pakistan Railways Police and Frontier Corps have been intensified to ensure greater surveillance and protection of railway tracks, especially in high-risk regions. The committee also discussed broader security measures, urging better monitoring systems and communication protocols to respond swiftly to potential threats during train operations.
In addition to security updates, the meeting covered issues related to the management of railway land and the Karachi Freight Corridor Project. The committee emphasized the importance of upgrading safety infrastructure to restore public trust in railway travel. Members agreed that maintaining passenger confidence requires a combination of technology, vigilance, and inter-agency collaboration. They stressed that such steps are crucial to preventing future tragedies and ensuring that Pakistan Railways continues to provide a safe and reliable means of transport for citizens.
Earlier this year, Pakistan Railways faced another serious incident when the Jaffar Express was targeted in Balochistan on March 11. Armed attackers fired on the locomotive and took over 400 passengers hostage. The security forces launched a rescue operation that led to the safe evacuation of the hostages, although casualties occurred during the exchange. The recent decision by the National Assembly committee to install jammers reflects an ongoing effort to strengthen railway security and prevent similar threats from endangering passengers in the future.
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