Passengers of the Kumbakonam-Chennai Rockfort Express had a narrow escape on Saturday (12 June) as the train, proceeding cautiously after an alert, stopped just short of the spot where the track had been blasted by LTTE sympathizers.

A metre-long portion of the track had been blown up with a high-power gel-type explosive device ignited by electric power at Sithani, the Hindu reported.

“It appears to be the handiwork of some pro-LTTE elements. The ‘Q' Branch CID has formed special teams to investigate the case,” said India’s Inspector-General of Police (Intelligence) M.S. Jaffar Sait adding someone must have been sitting at a visible distance and operating the detonator.

Earlier, the Salem-Chennai Egmore Express passed the section 35 minutes prior to the blast. Its guard, T. Rajasekaran, alerted the station master at Perani through walkie-talkie after he heard an “unusual sound” and felt a “heavy jerk” at 2.08 a.m.

Immediately, railway authorities directed the Rockfort Express, which was following the Salem train, to proceed slowly. Driver Gopinath noticed the damage and averted a certain disaster.

At least a couple of concrete sleepers were fully damaged and an 80-cm. crater was found on the track. The ballast and the sleepers were found strewn all over.

Pamphlets decrying the visit of President Mahinda Rajapaksa to India signed, ‘Younger Brothers of Honourable Prabakaran’ were found scattered at the spot.

The explosive device was reportedly linked to a wire running through a farm and attached to the junction box of an electric post situated about 100 metres from the track. Two pieces of electric wire were found lying near the open farm well.

In a statement, Director- General of Police Letika Saran ruled out the involvement of Maoists. She said locally available explosive substances were used to cause the blast. Security was enhanced at railway stations and in trains. Train services were disrupted for about seven hours.