Deadly suicide blast hits Jaffar Express in Quetta
Islamabad: A devastating suicide attack rocked Quetta on Sunday morning after a bomber targeted the Jaffar Express near the Chaman Gate area, killing at least 23 people and injuring 53 others in one of the deadliest recent attacks in the region.
According to police and local authorities, the powerful explosion occurred near railway tracks as the passenger train was passing through the area.
The blast was so intense that one entire carriage of the train was completely destroyed and reduced to ashes. Several nearby homes suffered structural damage, while multiple vehicles parked close to the tracks were also badly affected.
BLA’s Majeed Brigade Claims Responsibility
The banned militant outfit Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attack through its suicide unit, the “Majeed Brigade.” In a statement reportedly issued to media outlets, BLA spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch said the attack specifically targeted security personnel allegedly traveling aboard the train from Quetta Cantonment.
The group further claimed that details regarding the operation and casualties would be released in a subsequent statement.
Rescue Operations Underway
Following the explosion, scenes of panic and chaos unfolded across the area as rescue workers, police teams, and local residents rushed to pull victims from the wreckage and burning train compartment. Security forces quickly sealed off the blast site, while ambulances transported the injured to nearby hospitals.
Hospital authorities confirmed that several of the injured remain in critical condition, raising fears that the death toll could rise further.
Investigation Intensifies
Preliminary investigations suggest the bombing was a carefully planned suicide attack timed to coincide with the train’s movement in order to maximize casualties and destruction.
Pakistani security agencies have launched a full-scale investigation into the incident and are collecting forensic evidence from the scene.
The attack has once again highlighted growing security concerns in Balochistan, where separatist violence and insurgent attacks have intensified in recent years.
