In a deadly explosion on Saturday morning at Quetta Railway Station, at least 24 people lost their lives, and around 18 others were wounded as they prepared to board trains. Rescue and security teams responded, transporting bodies and the injured to Quetta’s Civil Hospital, where emergency measures were promptly implemented.
Medical staff were rushed to duty as several critically injured individuals were moved to the trauma center. Authorities have since cordoned off the area, launching an investigation into the blast’s specifics.
The explosion reportedly occurred near the station’s ticket booth, as two scheduled trains were preparing to depart, drawing a large crowd to the platform. Railway officials confirmed the timing and location of the blast. An assessment of the damages is also underway, with officials determining the full extent of the blast’s impact.
Quetta Blast
In a statement shortly after the attack, the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) identified the assault as a targeted operation against Pak military personnel present at the station. According to Jeeyand Baloch, a spokesperson for the BLA, the attack was carried out by the Majeed Brigade, their unit dedicated to high-profile operations. The targeted personnel were reportedly returning via the Jaffer Express after completing a training course at the Infantry School.
Photos shared by locals and media outlets depict the aftermath, including scattered luggage reportedly belonging to military personnel caught in the explosion’s wake. The BLA, which has waged a war for Baloch independence, stated that the operation was aimed at highlighting their resistance against the Pakistan’s military occupation and systematic suppression of Balochistan.
This incident is BLA’s response to years of enforced disappearances, military crackdowns, and atrocities that the Baloch community has been facing since 1948 after a forceful occupation.