Blast Near Railway Station In Pakistan’s Balochistan Injures 20

At least 20 people were injured after a powerful explosion took place near a railway track close to Chaman Phatak railway station in Quetta, the capital of Pakistan’s Balochistan province. Officials said the blast caused heavy damage in the area, affecting train coaches, nearby vehicles, and surrounding buildings. Emergency teams and security forces quickly reached the site after the explosion, while rescue operations continued for several hours.

According to local police and rescue officials, the explosion occurred when a train was passing through the railway track area near the station. The impact of the blast partially damaged the train and derailed several coaches, including the locomotive. Reports said two train coaches overturned due to the force of the explosion. Windows and glass panels of nearby buildings were also shattered, while around 10 parked vehicles suffered damage.

Authorities declared an emergency in major government hospitals across Quetta after the incident. Doctors, nurses, and additional medical staff were called in to treat the injured passengers and civilians brought from the blast site. Officials confirmed that several injured people were in serious condition and receiving emergency medical care.

Railway officials temporarily stopped the Peshawar-bound Jaffar Express at Quetta Railway Station as a precautionary measure after the blast. Security teams sealed off the area and started searching for possible explosive material or other threats nearby. Bomb disposal squads and forensic experts were also sent to investigate the cause of the explosion and collect evidence from the scene.

Some reports suggested that the explosion may have been a suicide attack targeting a train carrying security personnel and their families. The banned militant group Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) later claimed responsibility for the attack, although authorities said investigations were still ongoing to confirm all details. Officials stated that the attack appeared to target railway infrastructure and security movement in the region.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the blast and described it as a cowardly act of terrorism. He said such attacks would not weaken Pakistan’s fight against extremist violence. President Asif Ali Zardari also expressed condolences for the victims and ordered authorities to ensure proper medical treatment for the injured.

Balochistan has faced increasing militant violence in recent years, with separatist groups frequently targeting railway lines, security forces, government buildings, and infrastructure projects. Security experts say attacks in the province have increased pressure on Pakistan’s security agencies, especially in areas near the Afghanistan and Iran borders. The latest blast has again raised concerns about public safety and railway security in the troubled province.