In a staggering display of audacity, thieves have targeted a moving intercity train, stripping the air-conditioning system of its condenser coils and forcing the railway authorities to decommission a coach. The theft has left passengers of the Panchagarh Express facing significant disruption as the train was compelled to depart for Dhaka on Thursday without one of its vital AC carriages.
The incident was discovered when the Drutojan Express, which had departed from Dhaka at 8:45 pm on Wednesday, arrived at Panchagarh railway station at 7:55 am on Thursday morning. Upon inspection, engineers discovered that the condenser coils—essential components located on the roof of the AC coach—had been expertly removed while the train was in transit.
Table of Contents
A Pattern of High-Stakes Theft
Railway electrical staff at Panchagarh station revealed that this is not an isolated occurrence. Criminal gangs appear to have mastered the dangerous technique of boarding moving trains under the cover of night to dismantle and steal copper-rich components.
“These thefts predominantly occur on the route from Dhaka,” a member of the electrical department noted. “The perpetrators climb onto the roof of the moving carriages, risk life and limb to strip the coils, and vanish before the train reaches its destination.”
Impact on Passengers and Service
The affected coach, which boasts a capacity of 78 seats, has been shunted to a separate siding for repairs. While no seats were allocated specifically from Panchagarh for this carriage, passengers from Thakurgaon and Dinajpur had already booked their journeys. Railway authorities were forced to issue emergency notifications and provide full refunds to those affected.
For the immediate future, the Panchagarh Express will operate with 12 carriages instead of its standard 13-coach rake. This reduced capacity is expected to persist until at least 21st February, according to station officials.
Service Disruption at a Glance
| Train Affected | Component Stolen | Seating Capacity Lost | Estimated Repair Time |
| Panchagarh Express | AC Condenser Coils | 78 Seats (AC Coach) | Until 21 February |
| Operational Impact | Reduced to 12 coaches | Mandatory Refund Policy | Enhanced security required |
Security Concerns on the Tracks
Station Master Zahidul Islam confirmed that the theft was reported by the electrical department immediately upon the train’s arrival. “Once we realised the AC unit was non-functional due to the missing coils, we had no choice but to cancel the coach and halt further ticket sales for that segment,” he stated.
The incident raises serious questions regarding the security of the national rail network. Stripping heavy machinery from the roof of a moving vehicle suggests a level of organisation and technical knowledge that poses a significant challenge to the Government Railway Police (GRP). Passengers are now calling for increased patrolling and the installation of surveillance measures on carriage roofs to deter future sabotage.