A devastating bombing at the main railway station in Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan, has resulted in the deaths of 26 individuals, including 14 soldiers. This tragic event took place as passengers awaited their trains on Saturday morning. According to Wasim Baig, a spokesperson for Quetta’s Sandeman Provincial Hospital, the initial death toll was revised from 25 to 26 following further assessments. Among the injured, 46 members of the security forces and 14 civilians sustained wounds in the attack.
Eyewitnesses reported harrowing scenes at the station, with pools of blood and ripped backpacks scattered amidst the chaos. A large metal sheet intended to protect passengers from the elements was blown off, further illustrating the force of the blast. One survivor, Mohammed Oumer, recounted his experience, describing how he arrived at the station to take a train home only to find himself injured in the aftermath of the explosion.
The attack, which struck around 8:45 am local time, has been claimed by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a prominent separatist group in the region. The BLA issued a statement indicating that the bombing targeted a unit of the Pakistani army returning from a training course at the Infantry School.
Authorities provided more context on the attack, revealing that it occurred near the ticket booth at a time when two trains were scheduled to depart. Initial assessments suggested the possibility of concealed explosives, but local police officer Muhammad Baloch later speculated that the incident might have been executed by a suicide bomber.
Rescue efforts were ongoing, with firefighters, responders, and concerned passengers sifting through the wreckage and abandoned luggage on the platform, all under the watchful gaze of heavily armed security personnel. The harrowing aftermath of the explosion led victims’ families to rush to the hospital to find their loved ones. Mohammed Irfan shared his grief as he arrived to identify his uncle and another relative who perished in the bombing, not knowing they had gone to enjoy tea at the station.
The BLA has a history of targeting security forces and individuals from other provinces, particularly Punjabis. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack, vowing that those responsible “will pay a heavy price.” The violence in Balochistan underscores the ongoing tensions in a region rich in natural resources yet plagued by poverty. This bombing follows a series of deadly incidents, including an August attack that resulted in 39 deaths, marking one of the deadliest periods for Balochistan.
