At least 25 people have been killed and around 50 injured after a bomb exploded at Quetta railway station in Pakistan’s Balochistan province. The blast occurred as the Jaffar Express, a popular morning train, was preparing to depart for Peshawar.
Authorities have identified the incident as a suicide attack, with police estimating the bomber carried 6-8kg of explosives. The Balochistan Liberation Army, a separatist militant group, claimed responsibility, stating it targeted a military unit returning from training.
Footage shared on social media captured the explosion’s aftermath, showing injured civilians and military personnel amid widespread destruction at the station. Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic, with victims crying out for help.
The attack is part of a broader surge in violence in Balochistan, driven by separatist demands for independence and control over local resources.
Provincial officials condemned the bombing, with Balochistan’s chief minister labeling the attackers as “worse than animals” and vowing to bring them to justice. Pakistan’s National Assembly Speaker, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, denounced the perpetrators as “enemies of humanity.”
Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province, remains a hotbed of militant activity. Despite its vast natural wealth, the region struggles with underdevelopment and shares a volatile border with Iran and Afghanistan.
Key Points:
- Fatal Bombing: At least 25 people killed, around 50 injured in a suicide bombing at Quetta railway station, Balochistan.
- Targeted Attack: The Balochistan Liberation Army claimed responsibility, targeting a military unit returning from training.
- Suicide Bomber: Police report the attacker carried 6-8kg of explosives.
- Eyewitness Accounts: Witnesses described scenes of chaos and devastation, with injured civilians and military personnel at the site.
- Surge in Violence: Attack part of a recent spike in militant activities tied to separatist demands for independence and resource control.
- Condemnation: Provincial and national leaders strongly condemned the attack, vowing to bring perpetrators to justice.
- Geopolitical Context: Balochistan, rich in natural resources, remains Pakistan’s least developed province, bordering Iran and Afghanistan.
