India, Oct. 18 -- Panic gripped passengers on board the Amritsar-Saharsa Garib Rath Express when a fire broke out in one of its air-conditioned compartments near Sirhind station in Fatehgarh Sahib district on Saturday morning.

The incident occurred around 7.30am when the train was en route to Bihar from Amritsar.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the fire started in AC coach number 19, reportedly due to a short circuit.

Witnesses said smoke was first noticed from the compartment shortly after the train crossed Sirhind, prompting passengers to raise the alarm.

As the flames began to spread, a passenger pulled the emergency chain, bringing the train to a halt.

"Those from coach 19 ran towards other compartments before jumping off...