At least 14 people, including three Frontier Constabulary (FC) personnel, were martyerd and more than 20 others injured after a deadly blast targeted a passenger train near Chaman Phatak in Quetta on Sunday morning.
According to police and railway officials, the powerful explosion occurred near the railway track as a train was passing through the area, triggering a massive fire and causing severe damage to the train.
The banned terrorist outfit BLA has once again targeted innocent civilians in Balochistan, with women and children among the victims. Officials said most of the passengers on board were traveling to their hometowns to celebrate Eidul Adha with their families when the attack took place.
Eyewitnesses reported that the blast occurred at around 8:00 am when a vehicle allegedly laden with explosives rammed into the train near Chaman Phatak, causing a massive explosion that was heard across several parts of the city.
The impact of the blast derailed the train engine and three coaches, while two coaches overturned. One of the train bogies caught fire and was completely destroyed.
Rescue teams rushed to the scene immediately after the incident and shifted more than 20 injured passengers to Civil Hospital and Sandeman Hospital. An emergency was declared at government hospitals across Quetta, and medical staff were placed on high alert.
Special Assistant to the Chief Minister of Balochistan, Shahid Rind, confirmed the death toll and said women and children were among those injured in the blast.
“This was a cowardly terrorist attack targeting unarmed civilians. Terrorists deliberately attacked passengers, including women and children, who were heading home for Eid celebrations,” he said.
Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi condemned the incident, describing it as an act of cowardly terrorism aimed at destabilizing peace in the province.
Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti strongly condemned the attack and vowed strict action against those responsible.
“Those involved in shedding innocent blood deserve no leniency. The facilitators and masterminds behind this barbaric attack will be brought to justice,” he said.
Security forces cordoned off the area soon after the explosion, while forensic teams began collecting evidence from the site. Authorities have launched a full-scale investigation into the incident.
The latest attack highlights the continued threat posed by terrorist elements targeting civilians in Balochistan, particularly women and children, as soft targets in an attempt to spread fear and instability in the province.
