NIA joins Kalindi Express derailment bid probe, surveys site in Kanpur

Kanpur: An NIA team has joined the ongoing probe in Kanpur where a major train accident was averted by a loco pilot who brought the Bhiwani-Prayagraj Kalindi Express to a screeching halt after it hit an LPG cylinder on the tracks on Sunday night.Meanwhile, on Tuesday, ADG, Railways, also conducted an on-the-spot investigation and issued a toll-free number (9454-402-544) for providing leads with regard to the incident.According to officials, bottles of petrol and matchboxes were also discovered at the site, indicating a potential sabotage attempt, prompting the deployment of a high-level team from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to assist in the ongoing probe."An NIA team, spearheaded by an IPS officer from the 2012 batch, has commenced investigating the site where the LPG cylinder was found strategically placed on the railway tracks," a senior police officer told TOI."The NIA officials have initiated the process of gathering comprehensive details about the incident. They are also conducting a thorough survey of the entire area surrounding the railway tracks (where the LPG cylinder was discovered)," deputy commissioner of police (West) Rajesh Kumar Singh said.On Tuesday, various police teams started a search operation in the bushes and forest near Munderi Crossing in the Shivrajpur police station area. The crime branch team is closely monitoring the investigation. Over 70 police officers have been deployed in the search operation, thoroughly combing a 3km area. There is a possibility of finding some suspicious objects."Efforts are being made to improve the railway system further. Those who conspired to execute the incident will be arrested soon," the ADG said.As many as 12 persons have been detained so far in connection with the sabotage plan which involved an attempt to derail the Kalindi Express train in Kanpur.Kanpur commissioner of police Akhil Kumar said information extracted from the detained persons is being verified and put together to get a detailed picture of what it was all about. Late on Sunday, a gas cylinder and a Molotov cocktail – a concoction of combustible liquid with a wick made of cloth – were spotted on the tracks by the loco pilots of Kalindi Express as the train rolled into Kanpur.ACP Harish Chander said that forensic specialists scrutinized the explosive powder and will recommend which central laboratory should be engaged for the forensic analyses."It is premature to draw inferences whether or not the terror organizations are behind the conspiracy as police couldn't eliminate any possibility," he said.Meanwhile, keeping in mind the fact that this was the second sabotage attempt within 23 days, Kanpur police have decided to be a part of collaborative surveillance measures along the railway tracks which will have people from the Government Railway Police (GRP) and the Railway Protection Force (RPF) as well."To prevent the recurrence of such incidents, we will also conduct awareness programs for loco pilots, guards, and other technical staff employed by the railways," CP Akhil Kumar said. ReplyReply to allForward You can't react with an emoji to a large group