A suicide bombing near a railway track in Quetta, the capital of Pakistan's southwestern province of Balochistan, killed at least 23-24 people and injured around 70 others on Sunday morning. The explosion targeted a train carrying military personnel and their families, causing two carriages to overturn and catch fire. According to multiple reports, the blast occurred in an area where security forces are usually stationed.
Key Takeaways
A suicide bombing targeting a passenger train in Quetta, Pakistan killed at least 23-24 people and injured around 70 others on Sunday morning. The explosion caused two carriages to overturn and catch fire, damaging nearby buildings and vehicles. The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attack.
The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist group based in Afghanistan, has claimed responsibility for the attack. The BLA demands independence from Pakistan's central government and frequently targets civilians, soldiers, and police. According to CBS News, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack as a "cowardly act of terrorism" on social media.
The incident took place near a railway track in the Faquir Abad area, causing panic across nearby neighborhoods. Witnesses said the powerful explosion shook buildings, shattered windows, and sparked a fire that engulfed parts of a passenger shuttle train. According to Sky News, several buildings were damaged along with more than a dozen vehicles parked along the road.
Doctors at local hospitals reported receiving wounded individuals, with 20 in critical condition. Three security officials told The Guardian on condition of anonymity that the bodies were transported to hospitals after the attack.
The BLA has taken credit for multiple bloody attacks in the region. In February, coordinated suicide and gun attacks carried out by the group killed 18 civilians and 15 security personnel. According to BBC Urdu, the train was carrying passengers from Quetta's cantonment area to connect with the Jaffar Express long-distance train when the blast happened.
Balochistan chief minister Sarfraz Bugti strongly condemned the attack in Quetta, saying the militants targeted "innocent civilians, including women and children," vowing to "hunt (them down)" in a post on X. Bugti and the federal government in Islamabad often use the phrase "Fitna al-Hindustan" to refer to the BLA, which they allege is backed by India. New Delhi denies the allegation.
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