A powerful explosion struck the Quetta Railway Station in Pakistan’s Balochistan province on Saturday, leaving at least 24 dead and injuring over 40 others. The blast occurred as passengers gathered for a scheduled train departure to Peshawar.
Mohammad Baloch, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) for Quetta, told reporters that initial indications suggest a suicide bombing, though investigations are ongoing. He noted that around 100 people were on-site when the blast erupted, and emergency teams swiftly responded to assist the injured.
In a statement, Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind confirmed that security forces were securing the area as the Bomb Disposal Squad examined evidence to determine the precise nature of the explosion. Rind expressed concern over the death toll potentially rising, as many of the injured remain in critical condition.
Authorities have imposed an emergency in local hospitals, mobilizing medical staff to provide immediate care for the victims. The incident highlights ongoing security challenges in Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest yet economically disadvantaged province, which has experienced frequent militant attacks.
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a militant separatist group, has historically targeted energy and infrastructure projects, particularly those backed by foreign investments like China’s. These groups accuse the central government of exploiting Balochistan’s resources without benefitting local residents. In August, the BLA claimed responsibility for attacks that left nearly 40 people dead in one of the deadliest incidents in the region’s recent history.
The Quetta railway blast underscores the volatility in Balochistan, where separatist tensions and regional instability continue to fuel violence.
(By Ankita Singh, Web Team at C6N)
