saved a freight train from a possible accident on Monday.

The two boys, Shihab Hossain, 6, and Titon Islam, 7, both hailing from Jhina village in Rajshahi's Bagha upazila, received formal award at the reception at the Pakshey divisional office of BR of the railway's West Zone in Pabna's Ishwardi in the afternoon.

Shihab and Titon were playing in their village neighbourhood around 9:00am on Monday, when they heard a strange noise as the Dhaka-bound Silkcity Express went past Jhina rail gate. They rushed to the spot and found that one side of the lines was snapped.

Within minutes, they saw another Rajshahi-bound train approaching and realised that this one might not be as lucky as the last one.

Standing on the tracks, they started waving their warm clothes on air, signalling the locomotive driver to stop. The freight of 32 fuel oil tankers from Khulna slowed down and stopped.

“The two kids have done a great job, saving a train from a possible accident. And so, they were accorded a reception from the railway's Pakshey divisional office,” said Ashim Kumar Talukder, divisional regional manager (DRM) of BR's Pakshey Division.

As the two boys along with their family members came to Pakshey divisional office yesterday afternoon, the DRM gave a floral reception to them.

Speaking at the award giving programme, railway officials and local elites said the unique act of bravery and humanity by the two little kids would inspire people to work for the betterment of the society and nation. 

Shihab and Titon shared their experience on the occasion. Later they were given crests as token of recognition of their heroic deed.

Meanwhile, the railway authorities yesterday suspended officials Lablu Hossain and Moksed Ali of Arani station under Pakshey Division for failing their duties, said the DRM.