Five Trains Stranded as Protesters Block Bhairab Railway

Train services operating on the vital Dhaka–Chittagong and Dhaka–Sylhet rail corridors experienced severe disruptions following a major track blockade in the Bhairab Railway Station area of Kishoreganj. The blockade, which commenced at approximately 21:10, stemmed from an escalation of hostilities between two local factions over a sporting dispute, forcing railway authorities to halt all incoming and outgoing train movements to ensure passenger safety.

The Ministry of Railways and Bangladesh Railways officially confirmed the widespread disruption in an emergency bulletin issued shortly after midnight. According to railway officials, the sudden blockade caused an operational deadlock, stranding thousands of commuters on multiple intercity and freight services mid-journey.

Affected Rail Services and Locations

The official communication delineated the precise locations and times at which various transit services were forced to halt operations as a direct result of the blockade. The following table provides a breakdown of the five affected trains:

Background to the Blockade and Resolution Efforts

The unrest originally originated from a local sporting disagreement between the two opposing groups, which quickly deteriorated into physical altercations. Following the initial clash, an aggrieved faction marched toward the railway tracks adjacent to Bhairab Station, setting up an impromptu blockade across the lines. Recognizing the imminent risk to rolling stock and passenger safety, railway managers immediately suspended all traffic on the route.

Local administrative officials, alongside multi-agency law enforcement personnel, deployed to the site to clear the tracks and restore order. Bangladesh Railways explicitly stated that train operations would remain suspended until a formal security clearance was granted by law enforcement authorities confirming that the tracks were entirely safe for transit.

The unexpected suspension left thousands of ordinary passengers stranded aboard the immobilized trains across various stations, causing significant public distress and travel delays well into the night.