Bomb scare on Jalandhar-Pathankot train

JALANDHAR: An abandoned bag sparked a bomb scare on a Pathankot-bound train here following which it was halted at Kandrori station in Himachal Pradesh and passengers were swiftly evacuated.

Government Railway Police (GRP) and bomb squad have been called in, a senior railway official said.

"Around 12 PM, an abandoned bag was spotted by a passenger in the Jalandhar-Pathankot train. Two wires were coming out from a packet inside the bag which made the passengers suspicious and they informed the railway authorities," Ferozpur Divisional Rail Manager Anuj Prakash said.

The train was halted at Kandrori in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, he said, adding the passengers were evacuated as a precautionary measure.

"A passenger had thrown out the bag using a stick. GRP and railway security unit were informed. The train has not yet resumed its journey," Prakash said.

The packet also contained a battery and the sleuths are trying to find out if it contains any explosives, railway sources said.