Indian Left-wing rebels have released the hijacked train with over 400 passengers after 5 hours in the Latehar district of eastern Indian state of Jharkh and Wednesday.
The train was on its way from Barkakana to Mughalsarai at around 7:30 a.m. when it was taken over by at least 200 rebels. The passengers and crew were said to be safe. Security forces have been rushed to the area.
The incident came a day ahead of the second phase of Indian parliament (Lok Sabha) polls. Left-wing rebels have engaged in large scale anti-polling activities since March when the 15th Lok Sabha election arrangements were announced.
Local media reported earlier that over 50 left-wing rebels bombed Utari Road railway station and also destroyed a nearby track in Palamau district, about 190 km from Ranchi, capital city of Jharkhand, late Tuesday.
Police said the militants had planned to target the New Delhi-bound Rajdhani Express, which was to pass through the station 30 minutes after the blast.
The route of the train was diverted after the incident. Railway services were disrupted on the Dehri Onson and Barkakana route.
The rebels also blew up a school and health center in Narayanpur village in Chatra district of Jharkhand Tuesday night.
Eighteen people, including 10 security personnel, were killed in left-wing rebel anti-polling violence in the first phase of polls in the same district on April 16.
