Three compartments and the engine of the Palamu Express derailed between Barwadih and Chhipadohar stations in Jharkhand after Maoists blew up the railway tracks on Tuesday. No casualty was reported yet.
The incident occurred at around 8.40 pm.
Yesterday at 8:40 pm, derailment of Palamu express took place. No casualty or injury: Anil Saxena (PRO, Railways) pic.twitter.com/ex1qTmH9fa
— ANI (@ANI_news) June 24, 2015
"Three coaches and the engine of the Palamu Express derailed" between Barwadih and Chhipadohar stations "at around 8:40pm in the Dhanbad division of the East Central Railways," Indian Railways PRO Anil Saxena told ANI.
"It has been indicated that there are no casualties and injuries in this incident. As per preliminary information, the pilot of the locomotive heard a blast. The cause of accident and other details are still awaited," Saxena added.
Spot visuals: Chhipadohar (Latehar, Jharkhand): Palamu Express derailed as Maoists blew up rail tracks last night. pic.twitter.com/BslEjtx685
— ANI (@ANI_news) June 24, 2015
Maoists allegedly triggered the blast with high power improvised explosive device (IED), the Hindustan Times reported.
The attack was reportedly in retaliation for the 9 June Palamu encounter, against which the Maoists had called a two-day strike, lasting until Wednesday.
"Maoists had called for a bandh in that area. 3-4 trains had to be diverted. Restoration work has started," Anil Saxena (PRO, Railways) further said, according to ANI.
Security forces had shot dead 12 CPI(Maoist) cadres in an encounter in Bakoria village of Jharkhand's tribal-dominated Palamu district on 9 June.
