Darfur train holdup leaves one dead

Unidentified gunmen opened fire on two trains in East Darfur that were traveling from Nyala to Khartoum. Despite witnesses’ conflicting reports about the motive of the attack, it is said perpetrators killed one person and injured another. Both eyewitnesses confirmed to Radio Dabanga that insurgents driving Land Cruisers mounted with Dushkas intercepted the trains in an area between Tor Taan and Shurum on Wednesday afternoon. The freight trains that were carrying crops counted with six employees each.Witnesses also agreed the gunmen used rocket-propelled grenades in the assault that killed one person, injured another and destroyed the front cars of both trains. They said the remaining crew fled.However, testimonies differ concerning the reason why insurgents opened fire. The first source said the shooting began when the crew claimed not having the 10 million SDG perpetrators demanded to free the trains.The second source said insurgents wanted the fuel of the trains and opened fire when the crew said they were not able to provide them that.Radio Dabanga file photo: Train on the way to Nyala