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Bomb Hoax Call Triggers Security Scare on Amritsar-Mumbai Express
Mumbai: A bomb hoax call involving Train No. 11058, the Amritsar-Mumbai CSMT Express, triggered a major security scare on Tuesday. The Government Railway Police (GRP) control room received a tip-off regarding a potential bomb in the parcel van, prompting an immediate response from railway security forces.
A joint response team, including personnel from the GRP, Railway Protection Force (RPF), Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS), and Dog Squad, swiftly rushed to the Wadi Bunder parcel office. Upon inspection, they found a sack labeled as containing toys, which concealed two boxes containing firecracker bombs.
The parcels were subjected to careful inspection by GRP and RPF dogs, as well as the BDDS dog, who confirmed the presence of 30 firecracker shots inside the boxes. After thorough verification, railway authorities confirmed it was a hoax, and no explosives were found. The RPF seized the boxes and registered a case against an unknown individual under Sections 164 and 163 of the Railway Act.
Suspicious Parcels Raise Alarm
The alarm was raised around 10:30 AM after reports surfaced that unattended parcels with potential explosives had arrived at Wadi Bunder. The parcels, marked with "Tirupati Toys, Crawford Market, Gate No. 5, Shop No. 385," were transported in a van leased by Prakash Express Cargo Company.
Security Lapses Under Scrutiny
The incident has raised serious concerns about the state of railway parcel security. Under the RPF Act, transporting explosive or flammable materials is a criminal offense. The discovery of firecracker bombs in the parcels, despite existing regulations, has sparked questions about how such dangerous materials bypassed security checks.
In response, railway authorities imposed a ₹50,000 fine on the parcel company. An FIR has also been lodged against the unidentified person responsible for booking the parcels. Officials have emphasized the need for stricter inspection protocols to prevent similar incidents, warning that such lapses could have catastrophic consequences.
