At least 21 people lost their lives and 46 others were injured on Saturday following a powerful bomb blast at a busy railway station in Pakistan’s troubled Balochistan province, Pakistan media reported.
The explosion occurred at Quetta’s railway station as passengers gathered on the platform, awaiting the departure of the Jaffar Express to Peshawar.
Quetta’s Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Operations, Muhammad Baloch, stated that preliminary investigations suggest the possibility of a suicide attack. He confirmed the fatalities and cautioned that the death toll could rise.
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the bombing, according to PTI.
Early reports indicate the blast occurred near the booking office. Rescue teams and law enforcement immediately secured the area and transported the injured and deceased to Quetta’s Civil Hospital, as confirmed by provincial spokesperson Shahid Rind.
An emergency was declared at the hospital, with additional medical personnel called in to handle the influx of injured victims.
The explosion, which damaged the station’s platform roof, could be heard across several parts of the city.
Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti condemned the incident, describing it as “a horrific attack on innocent civilians” and ordered an urgent investigation.
