Chandigarh | January 24, 2026 — A blast on a railway track in Punjab’s Fatehgarh Sahib district late on Friday night damaged a section of the Amritsar–Delhi railway line and left a loco pilot injured, authorities said, as security agencies launched a probe ahead of Republic Day celebrations.

The explosion occurred around 9:50 pm near Khanpur, between Sirhind and Mandi Gobindgarh stations, as a goods train was travelling on the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC). The blast caused damage to nearly 12 feet of track and shattered the locomotive’s front glass, officials said.

The loco pilot suffered minor injuries — including cuts on his face — and was rushed to a nearby hospital for first aid. Authorities later confirmed he was out of danger. Rail and police teams responded quickly, carrying out initial repairs and temporarily halting train movement on the affected section as a precaution.

Police recovered suspicious material at the site, including wires, prompting forensic examination. Ropar Range DIG Nanak Singh said the incident is being investigated “scientifically” and that those responsible will be identified and held accountable. He added that it’s too early to label the blast as terrorism, and it is currently treated as a criminal act under investigation.

The incident comes barely 48 hours before the 77th Republic Day, raising concerns about the safety of critical infrastructure and prompting heightened alertness among security agencies.