Quetta: At least 14 people were killed after a powerful blast targeted a shuttle train in Quetta on Sunday, the Balochistan government said, as rescue teams shifted the injured to hospitals and authorities declared an emergency in the city.
The train was reportedly carrying security personnel and their families from Quetta’s cantonment area to connect with the Jaffar Express when the explosion occurred near a railway track. Later reports put the death toll higher, with some officials and international agencies reporting 23 to 24 deaths and around 70 injuries, indicating that the casualty figures were still changing.
The explosion derailed the engine and several coaches. Two train cars reportedly overturned and caught fire, while nearby buildings and vehicles were also damaged. Rescue workers, police and security personnel rushed to the site soon after the blast, while hospitals in Quetta were put on high alert.
The Baloch Liberation Army claimed responsibility for the attack, describing it as a suicide bombing. Officials said the attack appeared to target security personnel, though civilians and family members were also among those affected.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, President Asif Ali Zardari and Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti condemned the blast, calling it a terrorist attack. The provincial government said those behind the bombing would be pursued, while security forces cordoned off the area and launched an investigation.
The attack once again puts Pakistan’s railway network in Balochistan under scrutiny. Trains and railway tracks in the province have been targeted repeatedly in past militant attacks, especially in areas where separatist groups operate.
Balochistan has faced a long-running insurgency, with militant groups often targeting security forces, infrastructure and transport routes. The latest bombing comes months after earlier attacks on trains and security personnel in the province, adding to fears that militants are again focusing on railway-linked targets.
For now, authorities are focused on treating the wounded and identifying the victims. Several injured people were reported to be in critical condition, raising concerns that the death toll could rise further.
