A tragic suicide bombing on a passenger train in Quetta, the capital of Pakistan’s Balochistan province, resulted in the deaths of at least 23 people and injured approximately 70 others. The attack occurred when a vehicle loaded with explosives detonated near the railway line as the train passed by, causing two train cars to overturn and catch fire.

Militant Group Claims Responsibility

The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), a militant separatist group, claimed responsibility for the attack. The group stated that their target was a train carrying security personnel. The train was reportedly transporting army personnel and their families for the Eid holidays, highlighting the ongoing security challenges in the region.

Witnesses and social media images depicted the aftermath, with overturned train cars engulfed in flames and thick black smoke filling the sky. Nearby buildings and over a dozen parked vehicles also suffered damage from the blast.

Government Response

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack, labeling it a “cowardly act of terrorism” and vowed to bring those responsible to justice. He expressed condolences to the victims’ families and emphasized Pakistan’s determination to eliminate terrorism.

Balochistan’s Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti accused Indian-sponsored proxies of supporting the BLA, aiming to destabilize Pakistan. He vowed to pursue the terrorists and their supporters relentlessly.

Historical Context

The BLA has a history of targeting Pakistani security forces and infrastructure in Quetta. In 2024, a similar attack at a train station in Balochistan resulted in the deaths of 26 people, including soldiers.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.