A devastating explosion ripped through a passenger shuttle train in Quetta on Sunday morning, leaving at least 24 people dead and around 70 others injured in one of the deadliest attacks in Balochistan this year. The blast happened near the Chaman Phatak railway crossing, a busy stretch in the provincial capital, as the train was moving through its route and carrying passengers including security personnel and their families.
According to initial reports from officials and railway authorities, the train, reportedly the Jaffa Express, had departed from the Quetta Cantonment area and was heading towards the city railway station, where it was expected to connect with a longer route service. The explosion struck mid-journey, tearing through at least one carriage and causing multiple bogies to derail. Two coaches reportedly overturned, while others were left heavily damaged and burnt. Nearby vehicles and residential buildings also suffered damage due to the intensity of the blast.
Witnesses described a sudden, extremely loud explosion followed by chaos, smoke, and panic in the surrounding area. People living close to the track said they felt the impact in their homes, with windows shattered and fires breaking out in nearby vehicles. Rescue teams, police, and security forces quickly reached the site and began shifting the injured to Civil Hospital Quetta, BMC Hospital, and other trauma centres, where emergency was immediately declared.
The death toll includes both civilians and security personnel, with reports confirming that members of the Frontier Corps were among those killed. In a deeply tragic detail, entire families living near the blast site were also affected, with some reports stating that a couple and their child lost their lives due to the explosion’s impact on nearby apartments.
Responsibility for the attack has been claimed by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), according to the report by Reuters. Authorities described it as a suicide-style vehicle-borne blast that targeted the train as it passed through the area. However, investigations are still ongoing, and officials have not independently verified every detail of the claim yet.
Government reaction was immediate and strong. President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti all condemned the attack, calling it an act of terrorism aimed at disturbing peace and targeting innocent civilians. Emergency measures were taken across Quetta, including hospital alerts, deployment of additional medical staff, and security lockdowns in sensitive areas. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also visited Quetta to review the situation and chair emergency meetings with provincial authorities.
Railway operations on the affected track have been suspended, and clearance work is ongoing to restore services. Security forces have cordoned off the area, with investigations underway to determine how the attack was carried out and whether there were lapses in security arrangements.
This incident adds to the ongoing cycle of violence in Balochistan, a region that has long struggled with separatist insurgency and repeated attacks on infrastructure, security forces, and civilians. Once again, a public transport route became the target, leaving behind destruction, grief, and unanswered questions.
Sources: Reuters, Tribune, Dawn, BBC
