The state government has issued a high alert and sought National Intelligence Agency(NIA) assistance after an explosive device was timely disposed on the Mumbai-bound Mahanagari Express train at Manikpur station late on Thursday night. Acting on the request, a NIA team reached the spot on Friday afternoon and did not rule out a terrorist act behind the incident.
Additional DG ( Railways), Gl Meena told the media in lucknow on Friday that the NIA team was on the spot, a probe was underway and forensic teams were figuring out the nature of explosives. He too did not rule out a hand of the ultras behind the incident.
Meanwhile a report from Allahabad said that a similar bomb threat was received from New Delhi-bound Mahabodhi Express train. But subsequent checking did not find anything alarming even as two suspicious youths were detained from the train.
Earlier on Thursday night, a major tragedy was averted when a passenger spotted an IED bomb in the bathroom of S-3 coach of Mumbai-bound Mahanagri Express train near Manikpur railway station of Chitrakoot. The alert passenger immediately informed the GRP and RPF personnel.
SP, Chitrakoot, KK Choudhary said, “The bomb like structure consisting of a small watch, entwined wires and a letter written in English was spotted by a passenger in the toilet. Soon forensic experts and a bomb disposal squad was called from Allahabad. The team triggered the bomb ata secluded place around 3 am. The resultant explosion was of great intensity and craeted a crater with a 4 feet diameter.”
Meanwhile in lucknow, a senior officer said that the express train had four stoppage between Varanasi and Manikpur and hence it was being probed to figure out that the explosive was planted on the train at which station. After last night’s incident, all railway stations have been put on high alert and intensive checking of trains are underway.