Teenagers Thrown From Moving Train

Two teenage boys were brutally assaulted and thrown from the roof of a moving train by muggers in a shocking incident in the Tejgaon area of the capital on Thursday night. The victims, identified as Jumman (16) and Taufiq (15), are currently receiving treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital following the attack.

According to hospital sources and the victims’ accounts, both boys hail from Belabo upazila in Narsingdi district. They had boarded a train from Narsingdi Railway Station in the evening, travelling on the roof—an unsafe yet not uncommon practice among low-income passengers seeking work opportunities in the city.

As the train approached Tejgaon, a group of four assailants reportedly confronted them. Armed with knives, the attackers held the teenagers hostage, physically assaulted them, and forcibly took their belongings. The stolen items included two mobile phones and approximately 700 taka in cash.

Taufiq, speaking from his hospital bed, described the ordeal as sudden and terrifying. “They surrounded us and threatened us with knives. We had no way to escape,” he said. After robbing them, the attackers allegedly pushed both boys off the moving train, causing them to sustain multiple injuries across their bodies.

Medical staff at Dhaka Medical College Hospital confirmed that the victims suffered bruises, lacerations, and possible internal injuries, though their conditions are currently stable. They remain under close observation.

A police official stationed at the hospital, Assistant Sub-Inspector Md Selim, stated that the victims were admitted shortly after the incident and are being provided necessary medical care. Law enforcement authorities have begun preliminary inquiries into the matter, though no arrests have yet been reported.

Railway safety experts and rights advocates have long warned about the dangers of travelling on train rooftops, which exposes passengers not only to accidents but also to criminal activity. Despite repeated campaigns, overcrowding and limited enforcement continue to drive vulnerable individuals—especially youths—to take such risks.

The incident has once again raised concerns about passenger safety on railway routes, particularly in urban entry points like Tejgaon. Authorities are being urged to strengthen surveillance, increase patrols, and implement stricter measures to prevent both unsafe travel practices and criminal acts targeting passengers.

Incident Overview

Authorities have pledged further investigation, while the incident serves as a grim reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by marginalised travellers on Bangladesh’s rail network.