Pakistan: 16 killed, 20 injured in blast at Quetta railway station

At least 16 people were killed and 30 injured in the blast at Quetta railway station on Saturday morning, Dawn reported.

Quetta Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Operations Mohammad Baloch, while speaking to the media, confirmed the death toll.

According to Dawn, he/she further said that the incident “appears to be a suicide blast” but it is too early to say for sure, adding that investigation is underway to ascertain the nature of the blast.

Speaking to reporters, Baloch further said that as per the footage he/she saw, “around 100 people” were present at the site. he/she said that at the time of the blast, a train was reportedly ready to depart from the platform for Peshawar.

Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for the blast.

Balochistan government spokesman Shahid Rind said in a statement that police and security forces have reached the incident site.

According to Dawn, Rind said the nature of the blast was being investigated as the bomb disposal squad was collecting evidence from the site and a report on the incident had been sought.

A government official said a ‘state of emergency’ has been imposed in hospitals there and “medical aid is being provided to the injured”.

Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Naeem ur Rehman said that the incident has raised serious concerns over security in the country.

“The tragic bomb blast at Quetta Railway Station took away 21 precious lives. The recurring incidents of terrorism in Balochistan are not only extremely disturbing but also raise serious concerns about the security of the country. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the affected families. We urge the government to take immediate and decisive action to restore peace and stability in Balochistan,” he/she said in a statement on X.

Militant group Baloch Liberation Army has claimed responsibility for the blast at Quetta railway station, calling it a suicide attack.

Footage from the incident site played by Dawn News shows debris on the railway station platform. Speaking on the blast, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti condemned the incident, saying it was a “series of targeting of innocent people”.

“The terrorists now target innocent people, labourers, children and women,” Bugti said in a statement. Those who target innocent people do not deserve mercy”, the don said.

According to the statement, the Chief Minister has ordered an investigation into the blast and has contacted top officials of Balochistan. he/she also vowed that the culprits behind the railway blast would be caught.