Policed say at least 24 people were tragically killed and around 50 injured in a devastating bomb explosion at a railway station in Balochistan, Pakistan, on Saturday morning. The blast took place at Quetta railway station as a popular morning train was preparing to depart for Peshawar, leaving behind scenes of chaos and horror.
The Balochistan Liberation Army, a separatist militant group, claimed responsibility for the attack. The bombing, believed to be a suicide attack, is part of a recent surge in violence across the province, driven by demands for independence and control over natural resources. Senior police official Muhammad Baloch confirmed the bomber carried an estimated 6-8 kilograms of explosives, targeting both civilian and military individuals. Videos circulating on social media captured the aftermath, showing the debris-strewn station and injured victims seeking help.
Eyewitnesses described the horror. Abdul Jabbar, a survivor, recounted how he was entering the station after purchasing a ticket when the explosion hit. Another witness, Muhammad Sohail, arrived shortly after and reported, “Everything was destroyed, and people were on the ground screaming for help.”
The Baloch Liberation Army stated on social media that the bombing targeted a military unit returning to Quetta after training. Balochistan’s chief minister condemned the attackers as “worse than animals,” vowing that authorities would bring them to justice. Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Speaker of Pakistan’s National Assembly, denounced the attack, calling the perpetrators “enemies of humanity.”
Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province by land area and richest in natural resources, has long suffered from underdevelopment and socio-economic marginalization. Despite the wealth of resources, local communities have seen limited benefits, leading to a protracted insurgency for autonomy. This recent attack underscores the ongoing challenges and unrest in Balochistan, a region with a volatile border with both Iran and Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.
Source: TheDotNews