Credited from: CHANNELNEWSASIA
On Sunday morning, a blast targeting a train carrying military personnel in Quetta, Balochistan, resulted in the deaths of at least 24 people and injuries to over 70 others, according to multiple sources, including India Times and BBC. The explosive-laden vehicle detonated near the railway track, causing extensive damage and chaos in the vicinity, with eyewitness accounts noting screams and panic among local residents.
The train, reportedly filled with army personnel and their families returning home for the Eid holiday, suffered multiple carriages being derailed and engulfed in flames from the force of the blast. Videos from the site showed chaos as security personnel and civilians conducted rescue efforts, as described by CBS News and Channel News Asia.
The attack has been claimed by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist group that views the military presence as an occupying force, as reported by India Times and Al Jazeera. Witnesses described the devastating aftermath, stating that windows shattered in buildings nearby and numerous vehicles caught fire due to the explosion, underscoring the scale of the attack.
Pakistan's Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, condemned the violence and labeled it a "cowardly act of terrorism," promising to address the ongoing threats posed by militant groups like the BLA, echoing sentiments expressed by LA Times and South China Morning Post. In light of this tragedy, Pakistani authorities have declared an emergency in hospitals across Quetta as they respond to the influx of casualties from the attack.
The incident highlights the escalating violence in Balochistan, where conflicts fueled by separatist sentiments have increasingly targeted military and civilian populations, affecting public safety and stability in the region, as noted by CBS News and BBC.