• At least 24 killed and over 100 injured in Quetta train blast.
• The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) claims responsibility for the attack.
• The blast targeted military personnel traveling for Eid holidays.

A powerful explosion targeted a train carrying military personnel in Quetta, Pakistan, killing at least 24 people and injuring more than 100 others. The blast occurred near Chaman Phatak railway station while the train was transporting army members and their families who were heading home for the Eid holidays. Eyewitness accounts described the scene as chaotic, with emergency services mobilizing quickly to assist the injured and control the damage caused by the explosion, according to Indiatimes and Al Jazeera.

The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for the attack, describing it as a "fidayeen" operation aimed specifically at Pakistani military forces. Reports indicate that the train was struck by a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (IED), causing significant destruction to the train and surrounding area. The train was carrying a substantial number of personnel when the explosion derailed some cars and ignited a fire, according to Indiatimes and BBC.

Indiatimes and Al Jazeera.

This tragic attack reflects the ongoing struggles in Balochistan, where separatist groups have increasingly targeted state symbols and forces, exacerbating the already fragile security situation in the region. The BLA has consistently accused the Pakistani government of exploiting the province's resources while neglecting local populations, escalating tensions further amid ongoing insurgency and violence, as detailed by BBC and Al Jazeera.