Farhatullah Ghori, a notorious Islamic terrorist based in Pakistan, has once again made headlines with a chilling video message posted on Telegram. In the video, Ghori calls on his supporters to carry out large-scale train derailments in major Indian cities, specifically targeting Delhi, Mumbai, and other significant urban centers. His message, intended to incite Jihadis to disrupt the railway lines and transportation systems in India, highlights the extremist's desire to create widespread chaos across the country. Ghori, who has been on the intelligence establishment’s most wanted list for a considerable time, boldly stated, “The government is targeting our properties through ED and NIA, but we will remain steadfast and usurp power sooner or later.” This declaration underscores his determination to continue his nefarious activities despite the pressure from Indian authorities.

The remarks made by Ghori concerning train derailments have sent shockwaves through the Indian security agencies. The authorities are currently reassessing several train derailment incidents that have occurred recently, considering the potential link to Ghori’s inflammatory speech. It is crucial to recall the alarming events of the 23rd and 24th of August, when cement blocks were strategically placed on railway tracks, aiming to derail a Vande Bharat train. In a parallel incident on the 23rd of August, the Farrukhabad Express, traveling between Kasganj and Farrukhabad, narrowly escaped disaster after colliding with a wooden log deliberately placed on the railway track. These incidents are now being scrutinized with heightened vigilance, given Ghori’s recent exhortations.

In the three-minute video, which surfaced three weeks ago, Ghori explicitly urged the mujahideen to initiate an “ishtishadi jung” or “fidayeen war” against Hindu leaders and the police. He encouraged his followers to “experiment with different tactics to ascertain what works… where they are most vulnerable.” Intelligence officers have confirmed that this video has been in circulation for at least 1-2 weeks, raising concerns about the potential mobilization of Ghori’s directives among extremist groups.

Farhatullah Ghori, a terrorist designated in 2020, has a long history of involvement in several devastating attacks in India. He was the mastermind behind the 2001 Akshardham Temple attack, which tragically resulted in 30 deaths and left 80 people injured. His deadly plans did not stop there; Ghori was also responsible for the 2004 suicide attack on the Task Force office in Hyderabad and the 2023 Rameshwaram Café blast case. These acts of terror have left a deep scar on the nation, with Ghori's name becoming synonymous with destruction and loss. Notably, Farhatullah Ghori is originally from Hyderabad, India, a fact that has further complicated his relationship with the country he now targets.

Intelligence officials believe that Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) might be deliberately exposing Ghori to incite terror attacks and stir communal unrest in India. This strategy allows Pakistan to slyly evade responsibility by claiming that Ghori is an Indian fugitive while dismissing any allegations of his presence in Pakistan. This tactical maneuver by the ISI is seen as an attempt to distance itself from Ghori's actions while still using him as a tool to destabilize India.

Ghori’s influence extends beyond his direct involvement in terror attacks. He has also been actively leading the online recruitment of Jihadis, exploiting the digital space to further his extremist agenda. Last year, the Delhi Police arrested three of the most-wanted terrorists from Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. It was uncovered during investigations that these terrorists were being handled by none other than Farhatullah Ghori himself, highlighting his deep-rooted connections within the terror networks operating in India.

A few months ago, Delhi Police once again mentioned Farhatullah Ghori’s name in connection with the arrest of several terrorists from the Pune-ISIS module. Authorities had pointed out that the ISI was running sleeper cells in India, using these hidden networks to recruit young people for terror activities. Ghori’s involvement in these operations underscores his ongoing role in orchestrating terror from behind the scenes, further cementing his status as a key player in Pakistan’s covert operations against India.

Instances of Train Sabotages on the Rise in India

The alarming call to action by the Pakistani terrorist Farhatullah Ghori should serve as a serious warning to Indian intelligence agencies, especially given the rising incidents of train sabotages following the Lok Sabha 2024 elections. The situation is becoming increasingly concerning, with multiple instances of deliberate attempts to derail trains across the country. One such incident occurred on the night of 17th August when the engine of the Sabarmati Express train derailed near Govindpuri station in Kanpur. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw promptly informed the public that the derailment was caused by an object that had been intentionally placed on the railway track. Subsequent investigations revealed that a broken piece of railway track had been deliberately placed on the line, clearly intended to cause a serious accident.

Just a few days later, on Thursday, 22nd August, the Aligarh Railway Police charged an individual named Afsan for deliberately attempting to derail a train by placing an alloy wheel on the railway track. This incident, which took place on Tuesday, 20th August, was a calculated effort by the accused to recreate the Kanpur rail accident that had occurred just a few days earlier on August 17th. The quick succession of these sabotage attempts is a stark reminder of the increasing threats to India's railway network.

In another recent incident, an investigation was launched into a suspected act of sabotage involving the Nainpur Jabalpur train. The train's engine collided with an iron rod that had been deliberately placed on the track near Kachhpura station. This disturbing pattern of sabotage highlights the growing danger posed to the safety of India's railways, with these incidents occurring with alarming frequency.

Similar incidents have been reported in the recent past, highlighting the persistent danger faced by rail passengers and crew. In October of last year, a major tragedy was narrowly averted thanks to the vigilance of railway crew members who discovered multiple large rocks deliberately placed on the tracks. On 2nd October, the driver of the Vande Bharat Express, traveling from Udaipur to Jaipur, skillfully avoided a catastrophic event by pressing the emergency brake, successfully thwarting an attempted derailing plot. The crew of the Vande Bharat Express discovered that stones and fish plates had been strategically left on the railway track, clearly indicating a malicious intent to cause harm.

Another similar incident occurred in February 2022, where a deliberate attempt to derail a train on the Ahmedabad-Bhavnagar track was thwarted, saving the lives of both the locomotive pilot and a guard. This potentially disastrous situation was averted due to the alertness of a railway employee, who promptly informed rail officials that a large number of clips fastening the rail tracks had been separated from the concrete sleepers. This quick action prevented what could have been a tragic accident.

In yet another disturbing incident, an explosion took place in November 2022 at a bridge on the Udaipur-Ahmedabad railway line. The explosion was an attempt to blow up the railway bridge, leaving the track with multiple cracks and causing significant damage. Upon investigation, gunpowder was found at the site, confirming the malicious intent behind the act. These incidents collectively underscore the growing threat to the safety of India's railway infrastructure, with each event adding to the urgency for heightened security measures and increased vigilance across the rail network.