Rail services suspended on Dhaka–Mymensingh route after tracks removed in Gafargaon

Train services on the Dhaka–Mymensingh route were suspended temporarily after miscreants removed a section of railway track in Gafargaon, Mymensingh, causing an intercity train to derail.

The incident occurred around 4.30am on Monday, December 29, in the Saltia Mathkhola area, about two kilometres north of Gafargaon railway station.

Railway and local sources said unidentified individuals removed around 21 feet of rail track during the night. When the Dhaka-bound intercity Agnibina Express, which had departed from Tarakanda, reached the spot, its engine and two front coaches derailed.

The incident took place amid ongoing protests in Gafargaon demanding cancellation of a BNP nomination, during which agitated activists and supporters have been carrying out rail blockades, protest marches and arson.

Gafargaon railway sub-assistant engineer for track maintenance Mostafizur Rahman confirmed the incident, saying a similar act of sabotage had occurred at the same location on Sunday, December 28. At that time, the track was repaired using nuts and bolts and train movement resumed.

He said miscreants once again removed approximately 21 feet of track under cover of darkness, leading to the derailment of the Agnibina Express engine and two coaches.