A fire broke out aboard the Karmabhoomi Express (Train No. 12508) while it was traveling from Amritsar toward New Jalpaiguri on November 6, 2026, forcing passengers to evacuate after flames and thick smoke engulfed several coaches. According to reports cited by Times Now, the fire began in a general coach near Sarai Banjara in the Rajpura area of Punjab before spreading to four coaches. Preliminary accounts have pointed to a possible electrical short circuit, with strong winds potentially contributing to the spread of the flames. Video footage showed intense fire visible through coach windows as thick black smoke rose above the moving train. Railway officials brought the train to a stop, allowing passengers to leave the affected coaches and move to safety. More than 1,500 passengers reportedly escaped without injuries, and no casualties were reported.

Following the evacuation, railway personnel detached the affected coaches to prevent further disruption and began coordinating alternative transportation for stranded passengers. Authorities have also initiated an official inquiry to establish how the fire started and determine the precise circumstances that allowed it to spread. The suspected short circuit remains a preliminary explanation rather than a confirmed finding, pending the investigation. The incident raised serious concerns about fire safety aboard passenger trains, particularly the risks posed when flames spread through occupied carriages during a journey. Despite the intensity of the blaze captured in the footage, the train's prompt stop and the successful evacuation helped prevent reported loss of life. Further findings from the railway inquiry are expected to clarify the cause and identify any safety measures that may need to be strengthened.