Train brakes found cut off; explosives on another train

Source said that during an early morning check, before the Nilambur-Shoranur passenger train, stationed at Mukkatta, began its journey, the engine drivers found some problem with the air pressure when applying breaks.  On inspection, it was found that the vacuum brake pipes, which passed under the bogies, had been severed at about 15 points damaging the train’s air brake and speed air facilities.

Following the incident, two services of the train were disrupted. Malappuram District Superintendent of Police P K Sethurama Iyer and other senior officials who inspected the train said that a special squad would investigate the incident.

Iyer added that the miscreants apparently wanted to get attention rather than endanger lives. However, all angles, including a possible sabotage attempt by the Maoists or terror groups, were being probed.

Explosives unearthed
In another incident, a plastic bag containing mild explosives was found abandoned on a train at Mavelikkara station in Alappuzha district. Some passengers onboard the Ernakulam-Thiruvananthapuram Vanchinad Express noticed the bag and alerted the railway authorities.

The bag contained two detonators, aluminium foils and neogel 90. It was only last week that the police had received email threats that bombs would be set off at three places in the state.