QUETTA: The protest by a train driver, allegedly thrashed by an official of a lawenforcement agency, led to suspension of train service between Quetta and other parts of the country for at least four hours on Saturday.

According to police sources, the official, who was part of security escort for Jaffar Express, and the driver exchanged harsh words over some matter at Quetta Railway Station and the `angry official slapped the driver`.

Railway employees held a demonstrationin protest against the incident. The Rawalpindi-bound train left Quetta but its driver stopped it in the deserted Dasht area of Mastung district, 20km from here.

The driver refused to resume the journey unless action was taken against the LEA official. According to him, he was thrashed for refusing to obey illegal directives of the of ficial.

As a result, Rawalpindi-bound Akbar Bugti Express and Karachi-bound Bolan Mail could not begin their journey from Quetta as per schedule.

Finally, Jaffar Express resumed its journey after negotiations between the railway employees and officials of the LEA.