Tiger elements blast rail track in Tamil Nadu

After Maoists it is the pro-LTTE elements who are suspected to be involved in targeting railway tracks.

In the wee hours of Saturday passengers of the Tiruchirapalli-Chennai Rockfort Express had a miraculous escape when, what the police suspect pro-LTTE elements, blasted railway tracks at Perani railway station in Villupuram district, 160 km from here.

Railway sources claimed that about three feet of tracks were blown off in the explosion when the train was coming towards the station at around 2:10 AM. The blast also caused a four feet deep crater.

The station authorities immediately informed the driver of the train, who applied emergency brakes.

The police said that they recovered leaflets condemning the visit of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa from the spot.

Trains coming from south Tamil Nadu were delayed because of the explosion. Rockfort Express, Pearl City Express, Kanyakumari Express, Mumbai-Madurai Express and others were stopped midway. Trains departing from here to Guruvayoor, Puducherry and other places were also delayed.

A massive manhunt has been launched for the culprits.

New Delhi Chronicle