Patna: A bomb threat targeting the Tejas Rajdhani Express prompted a major security operation across several states on Sunday, delaying the train by nearly six hours and triggering investigations by railway and Delhi police authorities.
The threat was received through a phone call from an unknown number, warning that an explosive device had been planted in one of the train’s compartments. The Tejas Rajdhani was travelling from Delhi to Patna when railway police officials were alerted. The first information was received by the Railway Protection Force (RPF) commandant at Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction, following which officials in Bihar were also informed.
The call was received around 90 minutes after the train departed from Delhi, when it was nearing Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh. Although the train does not have a scheduled halt there, it was stopped at Aligarh station as a precaution. Security agencies, including the RPF and Government Railway Police (GRP), conducted an extensive search of all coaches for nearly two hours before allowing the train to proceed.
Further checks were carried out at Subedarganj station near Prayagraj and again at Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction. On entering Bihar, security was tightened at Buxar, Danapur and Patna Junctions, where dog squads, hand-held metal detectors and other equipment were deployed to examine passengers’ luggage and all areas of the train, including washrooms and the pantry car.
No suspicious object was found during the searches. However, the prolonged security checks caused significant delays, and the Tejas Rajdhani reached Patna Junction approximately five hours and 45 minutes behind schedule. Passengers expressed relief after the train arrived safely.
Patna railway superintendent of police Anant Kumar Rai said nothing incriminating was recovered during the searches at stations in Bihar. He added that details of the incident had been shared with RPF and GRP officials at Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction. Delhi-based investigation agencies are also examining the source of the threatening call.
