In a tragic event that has shaken the city of Quetta in southwest Pakistan, a suicide bomb attack near a railway station has claimed at least 23 lives and injured 71 others. The attack occurred on Sunday as a train was passing through the area.

Attack Details and Response

The militant group Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), which seeks independence from Pakistan’s central government, has taken responsibility for this heinous act. Preliminary investigations suggest it was a suicide blast, according to local police.

Rescue operations are ongoing, with emergency worker Muhammad Zeeshan stating that authorities have secured the area while security forces and bomb disposal teams work to understand the explosion’s nature. Hospitals in Quetta have declared an emergency to handle the influx of casualties.

Deputy Superintendent Police (City) Qadir Qambrani expressed concerns that the number of casualties could rise as more information becomes available. Witnesses described the explosion as massive, with one survivor expressing disbelief at having survived the ordeal.

Government and Community Reaction

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack, labeling it a “heinous bomb explosion” and asserting that such acts of terrorism will not deter the resolve of the Pakistani people. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi visited Quetta to show solidarity with the victims, describing the attack as an act of extreme brutality against innocent people.

Balochistan, rich in oil and minerals, has a history of violence from separatist groups like the BLA, which has previously claimed responsibility for other large-scale attacks in the region. In February, the BLA was behind suicide and gun attacks that resulted in at least 33 deaths, according to Pakistan’s military.

Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.