Quetta, Pakistan — A powerful blast struck a passenger train carrying military personnel in Pakistan’s Balochistan province on Sunday, leaving at least 24 people dead and more than 50 others wounded, officials reported.
The explosion occurred near the Chaman Phatak railway station along the railway track in Quetta, the provincial capital. Authorities said the blast partially damaged the train and affected at least ten vehicles parked in the vicinity. The force of the detonation also shattered windows and glass panels in several nearby buildings, according to GeoTV.
Emergency services rushed injured individuals to local hospitals, where medical teams worked urgently to treat the victims. Following the incident, an emergency was declared across government hospitals in Quetta, with additional doctors and staff called in to manage the influx of casualties.
AFP reported that army servicemen were among those killed in the attack. The targeted train was carrying military personnel at the time of the explosion.
Railway authorities halted the Peshawar-bound Jaffar Express at Quetta Railway Station as a safety precaution. Babar Yousafzai, spokesperson for the provincial home minister, confirmed that all relevant institutions had been placed on high alert. He appealed to citizens to stay away from the blast site to allow rescue and emergency teams to operate without hindrance.
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Security forces and rescue teams arrived promptly at the scene and initiated relief operations alongside a thorough investigation into the cause of the explosion.
This incident marks yet another violent episode in Balochistan, a region that has long faced security challenges. Officials have not yet released details on the identity of the perpetrators or the exact nature of the explosive device used.
The attack has heightened concerns about the safety of rail travel and military movements in the province. As investigations continue, authorities are working to restore normalcy while ensuring enhanced security measures around critical infrastructure.