Pakistan: At least 24 people were reportedly killed and around 50 others injured after a powerful explosion struck near a railway track in Quetta on Sunday, according to multiple media reports.
The blast reportedly targeted a train carrying military personnel in Pakistan’s restive Balochistan province, with Pakistani Army servicemen believed to be among those killed in the attack.
According to reports cited by AFP, the explosion occurred close to a railway track as the train was approaching its destination. Some local reports suggested the explosive device may have detonated directly on the track, while others indicated it exploded nearby.
An Al Jazeera correspondent reported that the blast took place nearly one kilometre away from the station where the train was expected to arrive.
Rescue operations underway
Emergency teams and security personnel rushed to the site soon after the explosion. Several injured passengers were shifted to nearby hospitals in Quetta, where authorities said some victims remain in critical condition.
Visuals circulating on social media showed damaged railway coaches, debris scattered across the tracks and rescue workers evacuating passengers from the site.
Authorities have not yet released an official statement confirming the exact nature of the blast or the final casualty count.
Balochistan faces recurring insurgent attacks
Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province by area, has witnessed repeated militant attacks targeting security forces, railway infrastructure and government installations over the years.
Separatist insurgent groups operating in the region have frequently targeted Pakistani military personnel and transport networks, accusing the central government of exploiting the province’s natural resources while neglecting local communities.
Railway routes in the province have previously been targeted through bombings and sabotage attacks, leading to heightened security deployment in recent years.
No group had officially claimed responsibility for the latest attack at the time of reporting.
Security concerns intensify
The attack comes amid continuing security challenges in Pakistan’s western regions, where militant violence has increased in recent months.
Pakistani authorities have launched investigations into the incident while security forces reportedly sealed off the surrounding area to search for possible suspects and explosive materials.
Further details are awaited as rescue and identification operations continue.