Pakistan: 24 Killed, Over 50 Injured In Quetta Train Blast

ISLAMABAD, May 24: At least 24 people were killed and more than 50 injured after a powerful explosion targeted a train carrying military personnel near Chaman Phatak railway station in Pakistan’s Balochistan province on Sunday, authorities said.

The blast occurred near the railway track in Quetta and partially damaged the train, while around 10 nearby vehicles were also affected, police officials said.

According to reports, army personnel were among those killed in the explosion. The train, carrying military personnel and their family members, was travelling from Quetta to Peshawar for Eid holidays when the incident took place.

Officials said the train was passing a signal at Chaman Phatak when an explosive-laden device struck one of the carriages, triggering a massive blast.

The impact shattered windows and glass panels of nearby buildings, while several injured passengers were shifted to hospitals for treatment.

Visuals from the site showed a severely damaged train carriage lying on its side as rescue workers and locals searched through the wreckage for survivors. Injured victims were seen being evacuated on stretchers while security personnel cordoned off the area.

Following the incident, authorities declared an emergency in government hospitals across Quetta and summoned additional doctors and medical staff to handle the casualties.

Railway officials said the Peshawar-bound Jaffar Express was halted at Quetta Railway Station as a precautionary measure after the blast.

Babar Yousafzai, spokesperson for the provincial home minister, said all relevant institutions had been placed on high alert and appealed to people to avoid gathering near the blast site to ensure smooth rescue operations.

Security forces and rescue teams launched relief and investigation operations soon after the attack.

Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest but poorest province, has witnessed prolonged insurgency and unrest, with separatist groups accusing the federal government of exploiting the region’s natural resources without adequate benefits for local residents. (Agneices)