Thiruvananthapuram: The braking system of a passenger train was found tampered with on Thursday at Nilambur in Malappuram district while a packet of explosives was found in a compartment of the Ernakulam-Thiruvananthapuram Vanchinad Express in Aalappuzha district.
The vacuum hose pipes, which form part of the braking system, was found cut off in the Nilambur-Shornur passenger train at Nilabur station in the morning, according to railway
and police sources.
The damage caused to the braking system linking all the compartments of the train was found by the engine driver during the pre-flag-off check up before the train was to start
at 6.45 am.
According to authorities, it is not easy to sever the strong hose pipes unless they were cut of either by a strong saw blade or with a sharp hatchet.
The passenger train had come from Shornur last night at 9.30 for overnight halt and the sabotage might have taken place in the night itself, the sources said.
In the case of Vanchinad Express, a plastic bag containing low-intensity explosive material, two detonators and aluminium cables were noticed by passengers while the
train was waiting to cross the Mavelikkara station.
The matter was immediately brought to the notice of police and railway authorities and the packet was taken out for detailed examination, they said.
It was found to be a low-intensity explosive material like those used in grainte quarries. The train, however, resumed its onward journey and reached Thiruvananthapuram.
PTI
