QUETTA: A devastating blast near Quetta’s railway station has left at least 25 people dead and 46 others injured. The attack took place near the booking office of the station, a busy area that sees many people at any given time. This likely contributed to the high number of casualties.
Emergency teams rushed to the site, and doctors and medical staff were put on high alert at Quetta’s Civil Hospital. Many of the injured are in critical condition, and the death toll could rise further. Authorities have declared an emergency, and additional medical help has been called in.
The explosion occurred just before the scheduled departure of the Jaffer Express, which was set to leave for Peshawar at 9 AM. According to officials, the blast took place inside the railway station, causing damage to the platform roof. The blast could be heard across several areas of the city, sending shockwaves through the surrounding neighborhoods.
Police suspect the explosion may have been a suicide blast, but they are continuing their investigation. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Operations Quetta, Muhammad Baloch, confirmed the preliminary findings. He added that the bomb disposal team was on site, inspecting the area to determine the exact nature of the blast.
“Currently, the death toll stands at 25, with 46 others wounded,” SSP Baloch said. “We are awaiting further updates after the team completes its investigation.”
Balochistan’s government spokesperson, Shahid Rind, also confirmed the number of deaths and injuries. He stated that nearly 46 people were hurt in the explosion, with 10 of them in critical condition. The spokesperson clarified that there were no specific threats reported prior to the attack, though the general security situation in the province remains tense.
In response to the blast, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti called for an emergency meeting to address the growing law and order situation in the province. He has also canceled his foreign visit and is returning to Quetta to oversee the response to the attack.
Echoing concerns from the SSP, Rind suggested that initial evidence pointed toward a suicide bombing. However, he emphasized that the final confirmation would come after a thorough investigation by the bomb disposal team.
The attack has drawn strong condemnation from political leaders across Pakistan. Acting President Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani denounced the act of terror, calling the perpetrators enemies of humanity. He pledged that the government would take all necessary steps to eliminate terrorism.
Balochistan’s Chief Minister, Bugti, has directed authorities to investigate the incident thoroughly. He reiterated his government’s commitment to eradicating terrorism from the province.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah also expressed his deep sorrow over the tragedy. He condemned the attack, saying that anti-state elements were trying to instill fear among the people of Pakistan.
A report from the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) highlighted a worrying increase in violence in the region. In the third quarter of this year alone, incidents of terror surged by 90%. Over 720 people were killed, and more than 600 were injured in numerous attacks. This sharp rise in violence has been primarily concentrated in Balochistan and neighboring areas.
The total fatalities this year have already surpassed the number of deaths recorded in 2023, further highlighting the deteriorating security situation in the region.
