A powerful explosion triggered panic in Punjab’s Sirhind region late Friday night, just days before Republic Day. The blast occurred around 11 p.m. near the Khanpur gates on the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC), a railway line exclusively used for freight trains.

The intensity of the explosion was such that nearly 12 feet of the railway track were completely blown apart, causing severe damage to the infrastructure. At the time of the incident, a freight train was passing through the corridor, and its engine sustained significant damage.

The freight train’s security officer, Anil Sharma (DFCC), suffered minor injuries in the blast. Authorities noted that a major tragedy was averted as no passenger trains were operating on the route at the time.

Probe Underway, RDX Angle Not Ruled Out

Preliminary investigations suggest the possible use of a high-intensity explosive, with sources indicating that agencies are examining the likelihood of RDX being used. Security and intelligence agencies are probing whether the explosion was part of a larger conspiracy or a deliberate attempt to target critical railway infrastructure.

A Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team has been deployed to the site to collect samples and determine the exact nature of the explosive material. The area has been secured, and investigations are ongoing.