§  IED Explosion Rips Railway Track in Kokrajhar: Trains Halted

§  Kokrajhar Railway Explosion: IED Blast Disrupts Train Services

§  Assam Railway Track Explosion: IED Blast Investigation Underway

§  Massive IED Blast Damages Assam Railway Track: Train Services Halted

§  IED explosion damages railway track between Kokrajhar-Salakati in Assam

§  Train services disrupted 4+ hours. 8 trains delayed. Suspect identified. Investigation ongoing

Powerful Blast Between Kokrajhar and Salakati Disrupts Lower Assam Rail Services for 4+ Hours: A powerful improvised explosive device (IED) detonated on a railway track between Kokrajhar and Salakati stations in Assam’s Kokrajhar district late Wednesday night, causing severe damage to the track and disrupting train services across Lower Assam and parts of North Bengal. The explosion, which occurred around 1 AM on Thursday, October 23, 2025 ripped apart nearly three feet of railway line and scattered metal fragments several meters away, narrowly avoiding a potential train disaster.

Details & Context

The blast occurred approximately five kilometers east of Kokrajhar railway station on the Northeast Frontier Railway’s (NFR) Alipurduar Division route when a goods train was passing through the section. Train manager and loco pilot of the UP AZARA Sugar goods train immediately reported a violent jerk, prompting them to apply emergency brakes and halt the train.

“Upon checking, damage was noticed on the railway track and sleepers. It appeared to be a case of a suspected explosion,” said Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, Chief Public Relations Officer of Northeast Frontier Railway. The discovery of the damaged track triggered an immediate alert to railway authorities, state police, Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP).

The explosion created a small crater on the tracks with track sections completely dislodged from their positions. Railway engineers and security personnel rushed to the site for comprehensive damage assessment and repair operations. Investigative teams from state police, RPF, intelligence authorities and the Assam Police’s Bomb Disposal Squad arrived at the scene to collect forensic evidence and launch inquiries into the incident.

·       Investigation Breakthrough

o   A significant development emerged when Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma revealed that a suspect has been identified in connection with the blast. “One person has been identified in the case and this individual has several complaints lodged in Assam and Jharkhand. It is highly likely that the Assam Police will soon apprehend the suspect,” Sarma stated.

o   When asked whether the suspect was backed by any organization, the Chief Minister said: “We will determine if the person is supported by any group after a proper investigation”. This statement suggests investigators are examining possible links to militant or separatist groups operating in the Bodoland Territorial Region.

o   Assam Director General of Police Harmit Singh visited Kokrajhar on Thursday to review the security situation personally. “It was a suspected blast. Forensic samples have been collected and technical and human leads have been identified. Whoever carried this out will be caught, there is no doubt about it,” DGP Singh confirmed.

·       Train Services Restoration

o   Despite the severity of the damage, railway authorities demonstrated impressive coordination in restoration efforts. The damaged railway track was fully repaired by 5:25 AM on Thursday morning, allowing train services to resume normal operations after a disruption period of more than four hours.

o   Approximately eight train services were detained or delayed by one to two hours during the incident, affecting passenger movement across Lower Assam and northern West Bengal. However, no casualties or derailments were reported despite the blast’s devastating impact on the track infrastructure.

·       Security Measures Intensified

o   Following the incident, authorities have dramatically intensified security operations across Kokrajhar district. 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 develop preventive strategies.

o   During the meeting, the DGP directed authorities to enhance security surveillance across the district with special focus on railway lines and other vital installations. He emphasized the importance of coordinated efforts among state police, railway police and central security forces to prevent any further disruptions.

o   The Northeast Frontier Railway heightened patrolling on railway tracks and additional RPF personnel and engineering staff have been deployed to sensitive stretches. Authorities are conducting thorough inspections of the affected section and maintaining 24/7 surveillance.

Additional Information

The incident has particular significance because it marks a return of violent activities to the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) after several years of relative peace. The area had witnessed significant militant activity in previous decades but peace was largely restored following the signing of a new Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) accord in 2020.

The explosion occurred shortly after recent changes in the leadership of the Bodoland Territorial Council, raising questions about renewed tensions in the region. Kokrajhar district serves as a crucial connection between Assam and Bengal, making railway security in the area strategically important for national transportation infrastructure.

·       Chief Minister Sarma emphasized how close the state came to a catastrophic disaster: “I received the news around 3 AM from the DGP that a section of the rail line was missing due to an IED blast. If the loco pilot hadn’t noticed the track, the consequences could have been much worse”. The loco pilot’s alertness prevented what could have been a major train tragedy.

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Impact Analysis

The blast represents a serious security challenge for India’s northeast region and raises concerns about militant resurgence in areas previously considered pacified. The strategic location of the explosion—between two major railway stations in a critical transportation corridor—suggests deliberate targeting of infrastructure by those seeking to disrupt normalcy.

The incident highlights vulnerabilities in railway security across remote and sensitive border areas of Northeast India. While authorities maintain they have the situation under control, the successful execution of such a blast demonstrates organizational capability and local knowledge of surveillance patterns.

The incident also serves as a stark reminder of lingering instability in the Bodoland region despite official claims of peace since 2020. Political observers suggest the explosion may be connected to internal tensions within the BTC or external pressure groups opposing current governance arrangements.

Conclusion

The IED blast on Assam’s railway track stands as a significant security incident testing the state’s crisis management capabilities. However, the swift response of railway officials, coordinated action of security agencies and rapid track restoration demonstrate effective coordination despite the challenge. With one suspect identified and investigations progressing rapidly, authorities remain optimistic about apprehending those responsible and preventing future incidents. The intensified security measures across Kokrajhar district signal a firm commitment to protecting critical infrastructure and ensuring passenger safety.

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