At least 20 people lost their lives and over 30 were injured in a powerful blast at Quetta Railway Station in Pakistan’s Balochistan province. The explosion occurred as a train prepared to depart for Peshawar, leaving the platform in chaos as authorities and rescue teams rushed to assist victims. Footage from the scene showed significant damage, with debris scattered across the platform, where around 100 passengers were reportedly present.
#Breaking: Tragic bomb blast at Quetta Railway Station in Balochistan leaves 21 dead and over 30 injured. Baloch Liberation Army claims responsibility, targeting a Pakistan Army unit in the Jaffer Express. Casualties may rise. #QuettaBlast X in Pakistan #ptm_facilitating_fak pic.twitter.com/sRbyWtlcQB
— Shahbaaz (@ShehbaazKashmir) November 9, 2024
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Operations Mohammad Baloch stated that early signs suggest a suicide attack, though a full investigation is underway to confirm the blast’s nature. The Balochistan government has declared an emergency in local hospitals to handle the casualties, with officials indicating that the death toll could rise due to several passengers in critical condition.
The attack highlights the ongoing unrest in Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest and resource-rich province, where separatist groups like the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) have long opposed central government influence. Militants in the region have frequently targeted security forces and infrastructure, often claiming that development projects funded by foreign entities, particularly China, exploit local resources without benefiting residents.
Authorities are intensifying security in and around Quetta following the incident, as the Bomb Disposal Squad collects evidence to uncover further details about the perpetrators behind this tragic event.
