SRINAGAR: The Jammu Tawi-Kolkata Express came under attack near Samba late Monday night, damaging the windshield of its locomotive and disrupting train movement on the route for nearly three hours, officials said.
The incident occurred at around 9:30 p.m. when the train, which had departed from Jammu Tawi for Kolkata, was passing near Samba. The locomotive pilot informed the railway control room that the train had come under attack and that its windowpane had been damaged.
The pilot initially reported hearing a loud impact and could not ascertain whether the damage was caused by stones or firing, according to officials.
Following the incident, railway authorities halted train movement in the area for nearly three hours as security personnel and railway officials carried out checks along the track and surrounding areas.
The train later resumed its journey. One of its engines was replaced at Pathankot following the incident, officials said.
Police and railway authorities have registered a case and launched an investigation to determine the circumstances leading to the damage to the train.
Preliminary information from police indicated that the damage appeared to have been caused by stone pelting rather than firing, though the investigation is continuing.
The Jammu Tawi-Kolkata Express, train number 13152, operates from Jammu Tawi towards Kolkata and passes through Samba, Hira Nagar, Kathua and Pathankot. [KNT]
