Powerful blast at Pakistan’s Quetta railway station kills at least 24, injures over 40

At least 24 persons were killed and over 30 persons suffered injuries in a powerful blast at Balochistan’s Quetta railway station on Saturday. As per officials, the death toll is expected to rise as the blast ripped through the railway station in the provincial capital. 

According to police, the blast occurred when passengers were gathered at the station and the Jaffar Express train was ready to depart to Peshawar from the Quetta railway station. Quetta Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Operations Mohammad Baloch said at least 100 persons were present at the platform when the blast occurred, Dawn reported.

Police and security forces rushed to the spot and launched rescue operations. Bomb disposal squad has also reached the site and is collecting evidence of the blast.

According to Dawn, banned militant group Balochistan Liberation Army has claimed responsibility for the deadly attack. Quetta Division Commissioner Hamza Shafqat said the incident was a suicide blast and they have requested railways to suspend operations on the route. As per preliminary probe, the explosion took place at the railway station's booking office.

Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind emergency has been imposed on hospitals in the region and all injured were being provided with medical aid. The administration has summoned additional health staff to attend to the injured.

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti condemned the attack and said in a statement, “The terrorists’ target now are innocent people, labourers, children and women. Those targeting innocent people do not deserve mercy.” Bugti said perpetrators behind the railway blast would be caught and they would “root out terrorism from Balochistan”.