Blast Chars 12 Oil Tankers of Goods Train, Derails Four; ULFA’s Role Suspected
In a blast allegedly triggered by ULFA militants, twelve oil tankers of a goods train were burnt and four others derailed near Maoriani in Assam’s Jorhat district, leading to disruption in train services on the section.
According to reports, each of the tankers had 70,000 litres of high speed diesel priced at Rs 25 lakh each. The fire broke out at about 9.30 pm last night when train was on its way to Panki in UP from Numaligarh refinery.
“ULFA militants caused the sabotage. Forty metre of flexible wire was recovered from the area leading to the tracks. Investigations have begun and a clear picture will emerge soon,” GRP sources were quoted as saying by media reports.
The fire, as per reports, was contained after 12 hours at about 9.30 am today. Officials said that the guard and driver of the freight train carrying 51 tankers were safe.
The driver of the train reportedly heard a blast and saw plumes of smoke billowing out of the tankers. Some of the tankers derailed and fell on other tracks, reports said.
NF railway officials said that they have been able to save 31 tankers, two safety tankers and the brake-van. A total of 16 tankers have been affected. While 12 of them were charred, four others derailed with oil leaking from three of them. A small bridge was also damaged in the incident.
