KOKRAJHAR : A powerful explosion damaged a section of railway track between Kokrajhar and Salakati stations in Assam’s Kokrajhar district late on Wednesday night, disrupting train services and causing panic among passengers.

Preliminary reports suggest that the improvised explosive device (IED) went off about five kilometres east of Kokrajhar railway station. The blast severely damaged a stretch of the track, prompting railway authorities to suspend traffic on both up and down lines as a safety measure.

Several trains were halted at nearby stations, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded and triggering widespread anxiety. Teams from the railway department, security forces, and bomb disposal squads reached the site soon after the explosion to assess the damage and begin an investigation.

Officials are yet to confirm who was behind the attack, but security has been tightened across the area as inquiries continue.

Assam Director General of Police, Harmit Singh, visited Kokrajhar on Thursday, October 23 to review the security situation after a powerful IED explosion damaged a section of railway track between Kokrajhar and Salakati stations around midnight.

DGP Singh chaired a high-level meeting with senior police officers and security officials at the 7th Battalion police camp in Charaikhola to assess the incident and discuss preventive measures to avoid any further disruptions.

During the meeting, the DGP directed authorities to intensify security surveillance across the district, focusing on railway lines and other vital installations. He emphasized the importance of coordinated efforts among state police, railway police, and central security forces.

Speaking to the media, DGP Singh confirmed that the explosion was caused by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). “Forensic teams have collected samples from the site. The investigation is ongoing, and we will soon identify the perpetrators and their motives. The culprits will be apprehended shortly,” he said.

In response to the blast, security forces have been deployed throughout Kokrajhar, and patrols along the railway tracks have been strengthened. Train services remain partially suspended while repair work continues on the damaged track.

The explosion, which occurred approximately five kilometers east of Kokrajhar railway station, caused widespread panic among passengers and disrupted rail traffic across the region. Authorities have assured that all necessary precautions are being taken to ensure passenger safety and prevent any recurrence.