Bhubaneswar: Railway authorities have initiated an investigation into allegations of gunfire directed at the Nandan Kanan Express train near Charampa station in Odisha’s Bhadrak district.
Reports indicate that at least two rounds of firing struck the guard brake of train number 12816, which operates between Anand Vihar and Puri, while it was travelling between the Bhadrak and Baudapur sections. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported.
In response to the incident, immediate steps were taken to alert the relevant authorities.
An official statement from the East Coast Railway (ECoR) noted, “PC/RPF/JJKR has been instructed to attend to the train, while PC/RPF/Bhadrak has been directed to reach the location of the incident, coordinating closely with the Government Railway Police Service (GRPS) and local police.”
Following the incident, senior officials promptly notified the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police Service (GRPS) to ensure passenger safety. The ECoR instructed personnel from the RPF to attend to the train while the Bhadrak unit was tasked with investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
According to the ECoR statement, “The guard of the 12816, Anand Vihar-Puri Express, reported that the window of the guard van was hit with something that pierced through it. The incident reportedly occurred in the Bhadrak-Baudpur section of Odisha at around 9:30 am. No one is hurt. RPF staff secured the train and escorted it to Puri. The matter is now under investigation by the GRP.”
The GRP has begun an inquiry at the site of the incident, focusing on identifying the individuals responsible for the shooting that shattered a window on the train. Further developments are awaited as the investigation continues.
After the train reached Puri, GRP officials conducted a detailed examination of the train and the affected guard coach. The damaged coach has been sealed, and necessary forensic and other examinations are underway.
A GRP official at Puri stated, “The Railways takes every issue seriously. Multiple teams, including GRP, RPF, coaching depot staff, and others, are conducting the investigation.”
The official further remarked that there was a hole in the window, and only after a detailed investigation can it be determined whether it was caused by a bullet or another object.
A confidential report will also be prepared, taking into account various aspects of the incident.
