ISIS Responsible For Bhopal-Ujjain Train Blast: CM Shivraj Chouhan

The explosion took place in the Bhopal-Ujjain passenger train in Madhya Pradesh. (Photo: ANI Screenshot)

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Chauhan on Wednesday confirmed that the explosion in a Bhopal-Ujjain passenger train on Tuesday was carried out by the ISIS. “The train blast was by ISIS terrorists. They even sent photo of the planted bomb to Syria,” he said.

The blast that happened near Shajapur on Tuesday injured at least nine people.

Nine People Injured

Speaking to the media, Makrand Devaskar, IG Law and Order Bhopal, on Tuesday said that the blast was a low intensity IED explosion and as such the security forces are treating it as a terrorist attack. He also informed that the authorities have detained three people in connection with the case.

Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Bhupendra Singh also backed the theory. He said:

As per initial investigations, the blast in the Bhopal-Ujjain Passenger train seems to be a terror attack. 

Earlier, a bomb disposal squad was sent to the accident site to ascertain the cause and the nature of the blast.

Home Minister Bhupendra Singh confirmed that nine people have been injured. Two critically injured passengers have been referred to a hospital in Bhopal, while others are undergoing treatment at a hospital in Kalapipal town, near the accident site.

The state government has announced compensation of Rs 25,000 and Rs 50,000 for the injured and the critically injured, respectively.

Explosion Inside Bhopal-Ujjain Passenger Train

The blast occurred in a general coach of the train between 9:30 am and 10 am when it was on its way to Ujjain from Bhopal, Railway PRO, Indore, Jitendra Kumar Jayant told PTI.

The glass panes of the windows in the general coach were damaged because of the blast, which occurred when the train was about to reach Jabdi Station – which falls between Kalapipal and Sehore railway stations.

Following the blast, smoke engulfed the general coach causing panic among the passengers who rushed out to save themselves.

IA Siddiqui, Public Relation Officer of Bhopal Division, said that two coaches were damaged in the blast. They were separated from the train which later left for its onward journey.

The Superintendent of Police and collector are present at the spot. ATS and forensic teams are investigating under Director General (DG). I am also observing the situation personally.

Shivraj Chouhan, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister

A probe is on to ascertain the cause of the blast, the PRO added. A relief train was dispatched to the mishap site.

Bhupendra Singh also said that an odour of gunpowder had been detected and added that an investigation is underway.

Helpline Numbers Available

The ceiling of the coach was damaged in the blast, but so far we have not found any explosive device or its remains from the spot. However, a suitcase was found in the coach and the bomb disposal squad is examining it.

Krishnaveni Desavatu, Superintendent of Police, GRP Indore to PTI

The ADG (intelligence) called a meeting regarding the explosion which was attended by the IG (intelligence) and AIG (Law and Order).

The Railways have made available helpline numbers for those seeking information about their relatives in the train. The numbers are - Ujjain 0734-1072 and 0734-60906, Indore 0731-1072, 0731-2521044, 0731-2521045 and 0731-2521046, Ratlam 07412-1072, Nagda 07366-1072, Bhopal 0755-4001606 and 0755-56508 and Habibganj 0755-4001603 and 0755-55551.

(With inputs from ANI. This story has been updated.)