Bomb Blast at Pakistan Railway Station Claims at Least 25 Lives

Saturday 09 November 2024 - 11:05

A deadly bomb explosion at a railway station in Pakistan's Balochistan province has resulted in the deaths of at least 25 people. The attack, which occurred as a popular morning train was preparing to depart Quetta station for Peshawar, left dozens more injured.

The militant group Balochistan Liberation Army has claimed responsibility for the bombing, which authorities are treating as a suicide attack. This attack is part of a broader increase in violent incidents in the region, fueled by separatist demands for autonomy and control over local resources.

The explosion, which occurred early Saturday morning, killed 25 individuals, including the suicide bomber, and injured approximately 50 others, according to the city’s commissioner. Senior police official Muhammad Baloch stated that the explosion was believed to have been caused by a suicide bomber carrying between 6 and 8 kilograms of explosives. Among the casualties were both civilians and military personnel.

Social media footage captured the moment of the blast, showing numerous people on the platform, as well as images of the aftermath, which included injured victims and debris scattered throughout the station.

Abdul Jabbar, one of the injured, recalled the terrifying moment, saying he had just purchased his ticket when the explosion occurred. “It felt like a day of judgment,” he remarked. Another witness, Muhammad Sohail, arrived shortly after the blast and described the scene as chaos, with people lying on the ground and crying for help.

The Balochistan Liberation Army claimed that the attack targeted a military unit returning from a training session in Quetta. Police later confirmed that 14 soldiers were among the deceased.

Balochistan’s chief minister condemned the attack as a heinous act, calling those responsible “worse than animals” and vowing that the authorities would track down the perpetrators. Pakistan’s National Assembly speaker, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, also condemned the attack, describing those behind it as “enemies of humanity.”

Balochistan, Pakistan's largest and most resource-rich province, has long struggled with underdevelopment and instability. The region shares borders with Iran and Afghanistan, both of which are home to volatile political environments.