The Rajasthan Police have registered a case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), suspecting the explosion on the railway track between Jaipur and Ahmedabad was an act of terrorism.
The New Indian also learned that India’s anti-terror probe agency, the National Investigative Agency (NIA), may take over the probe into the matter.
Sources also told The New Indian that the detonator was also recovered, along with traces of explosives from the railway track.
On Saturday night, an explosion occurred at the Odha Railway Bridge in Kewda Ki Naal, Udaipur. The nearby villagers heard the explosion as well; however, the matter was brought to light when the patrolling team discovered the broken track and notified the railways on Sunday morning. The area comes under the Jawar Mines Police station.
A case under sections 16 and 18 of the UAPA and the Explosive Act has been registered against the unknown persons. The probe has been launched by a special team set up by Udaipur police.
Sources said a team of the state’s ATS (Anti-Terrorist Squad) and officers from the NIA also visited the spot on Sunday evening.
Confirming the sections in the FIR, Superintendent of Police, Udaipur, Vikas Sharma told The New Indian that the forensic report of samples collected from the spot is yet to come. “We are yet to find out who all were involved in the act. But our teams are working on it,” said Sharma.
Yesterday, apart from explosive material, the bolts were also found to be removed from the tracks.
On Sunday, the police suspected it to be a case of mischievous act as the track passes from the mining area of Udaipur’s Jawar mining site. However, they were probing from all angles. The teams of crime and forensic experts collected the samples and sent them for examination.
Officials said a major mishap was avoided because the Asarwa-Udaipur express was scheduled to pass through the damaged track hours after the patrolling team discovered it and notified the railway authorities.
The track between Rajasthan and Gujarat was recently inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and became operational on October 31.
On Monday, the operation of the train was restored after the track was repaired.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has assured that a proper investigation will be conducted and the matter will be taken to its logical end.
On Sunday, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot also tweeted about the incident and ensured a proper inquiry into the matter.