Stone-throwing targets E-1 executive coach of Shatabdi Express; RPF and GRP launch search, two arrests reported

A window pane in the E-1 executive coach of the Shatabdi Express was shattered on Thursday evening after stones were reportedly hurled at the train while it passed between Makkhanpur and Firozabad, officials said. The coach was carrying Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat, who was unhurt, authorities added.

Initial details
According to railway and police officials, the incident occurred in the late evening as the Kanpur–New Delhi Shatabdi was en route to Tundla Junction. An object — later identified as a stone — struck the E-1 coach, breaking a window pane. Bhagwat, seated in that coach, was reportedly safe and continued his journey.

Security response
Following the report, joint teams of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP) rushed to the Makkhanpur–Firozabad section and increased deployment along the route. Senior officers reached Tundla Junction, where the train arrived at Platform No. 1 at 7:34 pm and departed after inspection at 7:41 pm, officials said.

“Initial reports indicate the coach window was damaged by a stone,” a railway official said on condition of anonymity. “The passenger in that coach is safe. A search operation is underway in the nearby areas.”

Arrests and probe
Uttar Pradesh police said two men were arrested in connection with the stone-pelting. Local law enforcement and railway police are conducting searches in villages around the stretch where the attack took place to trace any additional suspects and to recover the weapon used.

Officials did not immediately release the identities of those detained. Officers said they were examining CCTV footage from stations and nearby level crossings and collecting statements from onboard staff and fellow passengers.

Sequence earlier in the day
Bhagwat had attended a blessing ceremony in Kanpur earlier on Thursday at around 2:30 pm for Vasundhara, the elder daughter of former BJP MP Satyadev Pachauri’s family member Neetu Singh, who is set to be married on June 21. The event drew several local leaders and required heightened security arrangements, police said.

After the function, Bhagwat boarded the Shatabdi Express to return to New Delhi. The stone reportedly struck the coach during that journey, while the train ran through the Makkhanpur–Firozabad stretch.

Ground-level cues
Passengers on board told reporters they heard a loud thud and saw a crack in the window pane before railway staff sealed the coach for inspection. Some travellers expressed unease over the attack but praised the quick response by RPF and GRP personnel once the incident was reported.

Local residents and commuters near the rail section said authorities intensified patrolling after the incident and that security vans were seen combing the area during the night.

Impact and public relevance
Stone-pelting on running trains raises concerns about passenger safety and the vulnerability of dignitaries travelling by scheduled services. Railway officials said they will review footage and strengthen cover in vulnerable stretches, particularly where trains slow down or pass close to habitations.

A senior police officer in Firozabad said such acts are treated as serious offences, and the team will seek to determine whether the incident was targeted or a random attack. “We are probing motive and will follow all leads,” the officer said.

Next steps
Investigating agencies said they will quiz the arrested men, examine local CCTV and level-crossing records, and check mobile phone tower pings to reconstruct movement in the area. Railway authorities are expected to issue an advisory for increased patrolling on the Kanpur–Delhi route until further notice.

The RPF and GRP have appealed to commuters and locals to share any information or footage that could aid the probe. Officials cautioned against speculation until the investigation establishes motive and culpability.