QUETTA, Feb 20: The rail link between Quetta and the rest of the country was cut off as militants blew up a main railway line near Quetta late on Tuesday night.

According to police sources, some people planted explosives under the main railway track in the Parkaniabad area of Sariab and blew it up. As a result, the railway traffic between Quetta and Sibi was suspended.

"A portion of about 2 feet of railway track was blown up in the powerful explosion that also rocked the entire Quetta city," Qasim Ishaqzai, a senior police officer said.

Railway authorities confirmed the damage to the main railway line and said all Quetta-bound trains coming from Lahore, Karachi, Rawalpindi and Peshawar would be stopped at different stations till the track was repaired.

Meanwhile, railway engineers have started replacing the damaged portion of the track. "Repair work is expected to be completed by Wednesday morning," railway authorities said, adding that the railway link between Quetta and the rest of the country would be restored by Wednesday morning.

Police registered a case against unnamed people. No arrest was reported so far in this regard.