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Two blasts in 3 months prompt calls for CCTV surveillance along freight corridor
Police investigate two blasts on India's dedicated freight corridor within three months: a January 23 blast near Sirhind and an April 27 blast near Bathonia. The Bathonia incident killed the suspected bomber when his device detonated early, and authorities say lack of CCTV footage has hampered investigations. Investigators are examining potential links between the incidents and the role of CCTV along the corridor.
Why It Matters
The absence of CCTV footage has hindered investigations into both blasts, highlighting safety concerns for the freight corridor and prompting calls for regular surveillance to prevent future attacks.
Timeline
4 Events
Investigations into possible links between Bathonia and Sirhind blasts
April 29, 2026
Central and state agencies are investigating potential links between the Bathonia blast and the January 23 Sirhind blast to determine if there is a coordinated campaign targeting the region’s freight network. Officials note the absence of CCTV footage has hampered both investigations and that CCTV surveillance along the dedicated freight corridor could strengthen monitoring.
Dwivedi visits blast site; lead from suspect's death cited
April 28, 2026
Special Director General of Police (Railways) Shashi Prabha Dwivedi visited the Bathonia blast site in the morning and said the investigation gained a critical lead only because the accused died.
Bathonia village blast on Rajpura-Shambhu freight corridor
April 27, 2026
A blast occurred around 10pm near Bathonia village on the Rajpura-Shambhu railway line in Patiala district. The suspected bomber, Jagroop Singh of Panjwar Khurd in Tarn Taran district, was killed when his improvised explosive device detonated prematurely in what authorities described as a botched detonation.
Sirhind blast near Sirhind railway station
January 23, 2026
An explosion near Sirhind railway station in Fatehgarh Sahib district left a railway staffer injured and damaged a freight engine and railway tracks. Authorities note the absence of CCTV footage has hampered investigations into this blast.