- At least 25 injured as Karachi-bound train targeted with crude bomb placed in lavatory
- President, PM political leaders condemn attack
- Security tightened at railway stations across the country
At least three people were killed and more than two dozen injured when a bomb explosion ripped through a carriage of Shalimar Express train near Toba Tek Singh on Monday.
According to details, the explosion occurred near Chatiana Station of Toba Tek Singh district in the Karachi-bound train. Sources said the explosion took place in the lavatory of carriage No 7.
It was a crude bomb that resulted in the deaths of three passengers and caused injuries to another 25.
A stampede ensued when panicked passengers tried to get away from the carriage, causing further injuries to some passengers.
Rescue teams rushed to the location and moved the bodies and injured to Toba Tek Singh District Headquarters hospital.
Sources said operators of Shalimar Express had received terror threats in July via a telephone call by unknown miscreant from Afghan phone number.
The callers had demanded payment of money in return for safe journey of the train.
They said the matter was brought to the notice of the Railways minister and secretary, who took it very seriously and the Intelligence Bureau later traced the telephone number to Afghanistan.
Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique confirmed injuries to 14 passengers. Briefing reporters at Pakistan Railways Headquarters, he said four of the injured were in a serious condition and might be shifted to Allied Hospital Faisalabad.
a question, the minister said per preliminary reports, up to 10 kilogrammes of locally-made explosives wrapped in a polythene bag were placed in the toilet of carriage No 7.
The train was being operated by a private contractor, who was also responsible for security in the train, he said to a query.
The minister said the track had been cleared and the damaged carriage would be detached at TTS railway station and the train would be back on its route to Karachi.
Punjab Governor Chaudhry Ghulam Sarwar has demanded an immediate report from the inspector general of police.
President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, PTI Chairman Imran Khan, Jamaat-e-Islami chief Syed Munawar Hassan and several social and political organisations expressed deep grief over the loss of innocent lives.
Security has been tightened at all railways stations and trains on the directives of Saad Rafiq. Passengers are being searched at three places at every railway station to ensure foolproof security.