Unidentified miscreants have set fire to a compartment of a commuter train standing near the wash pit at Mymensingh Railway Station early Wednesday.
The incident occurred around 4am.
Railway security personnel responded swiftly and managed to contain the blaze before it could spread to nearby coaches, the engine or station platforms, averting what authorities said could have been “extensive damage.”
The security personnel chased the miscreants but they escaped the station premises.
Sirajul Islam, inspector of the Railway Security Force, Mymensingh office, said the coaches of the Jaria local train had been parked at the wash pit outside the main platform for cleaning.
“The area remains relatively dark at night, and the saboteurs took advantage of the low visibility,” he said, adding that gunpowder and petrol were used to ignite the fire.
Three railway security members rushed to the scene, extinguished the flames and chased the attackers, though the suspects escaped the station premises.
Despite this, officials noted that the rapid response prevented major damage to railway property.
Station Superintendent Abdullah Al Harun said train operations at Mymensingh Junction returned to normal shortly after the incident. Security measures at the station have since been reinforced.
