At least 28 people were killed and more than 100 others injured after a powerful explosion struck near a passenger train passing through Chaman Phatak in Quetta on Sunday, triggering panic, fire and a large-scale rescue operation, according to police and emergency officials.
Authorities said the death toll could rise further as several injured victims remain in critical condition and rescue teams continue evacuation efforts at the blast site. Women and children were also among those killed in the incident.
The explosion occurred near a train carrying passengers close to the busy Chaman Phatak area of the provincial capital. Eyewitnesses told media outlets that a vehicle allegedly packed with explosives rammed into the train before a massive blast erupted, followed by intense fire and smoke.
Emergency responders rushed to the scene shortly after the explosion. Ambulances transported dozens of injured passengers and bystanders to hospitals across the city, where an emergency was declared to handle the influx of casualties.
“Rescue and evacuation operations are still ongoing at the site,” said Muhammad Zeeshan, a rescue worker and Edhi Foundation official in Quetta, while speaking to reporters during the operation.
Deputy Superintendent Police (City) Qadir Qambrani said the exact number of casualties was still being verified as security officials continued clearing the affected area. He added that more than 100 people were believed to be either dead or injured in the attack.
Security forces, bomb disposal squads and law enforcement personnel cordoned off the area immediately after the explosion and launched an investigation into the nature of the blast. Officials have not yet released a formal statement regarding the method used in the attack.
According to spokesperson for the Balochistan government Shahid Rind, three personnel of the Frontier Corps (FC) were also among those killed in the explosion.
The banned militant group Baloch Liberation Army later claimed responsibility for the attack. In a statement attributed to the group’s spokesperson, the organization claimed it targeted a train allegedly carrying security personnel from Quetta Cantonment.
The deadly incident has once again raised serious concerns over security conditions in Balochistan, where separatist violence and attacks on security forces have intensified in recent years.
Authorities said rescue and investigation operations would continue through the night while additional security measures have been imposed in sensitive areas of Quetta.
