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carnage: Two terrorists armed with AK 47s opened fire at CST station on Wednesday. PIC/SAYED SAMEER ABEDI

The Railway Protection Special Force (RPSF) personnel, which were deployed at all the major railway stations on the western and central route after the 7/11 train blasts, were not on duty at CST when the incident occurred, inform railway officials.

A week ago, a company of the RPSF, comprising 75 to 80 personnel, was moved to Jammu and Kashmir. This may have been part of a routine rotation procedure, but a contingent, which was to arrive in the city to replace them, did not arrive on time.

The RPSF comprises well-trained personnel who are equipped with modern weapons such as the INSAS and AK 47.

"The terrorists went on a rampage and randomly fired at commuters. If the RPSF was posted at CST,
it could have brought the situation under control and saved many lives. The RPSF is better equipped than the regular Railway Protection Force and receives special training to counter such terror strikes," said a railway official, requesting anonymity.

The RPSF was deployed in Mumbai after the 7/11 blasts to beef up security at railway stations and trains. It supplemented the RPF in maintaining vigil. Subsequently, bureaucratic hurdles resulted in the reduction of the number of personnel posted at both the central and western railway stations.  

CCTV cameras at CST not working

The CCTV cameras installed at CST were not working since Tuesday. As a result, the RPF couldn't find any footage of the two terrorists who attacked the station.

"The two cameras that monitor the main line area were not working and the one that was working was not of good quality," said an RPF official.

Chief Security Commissioner B S Siddhu, Central Railway, said, "Railways will hand over all the recordings to the concerned investigating officials."
- Vedika Tripathi