Pakistan Railway Station Explosion: Blast Targeting Army in Balochistan Kills 24+, Injures Over 40

At least 24 people have been killed and more than 40 injured in a bombing at a railway station in Quetta, the capital of Pakistan’s volatile Balochistan province. Authorities reported that the explosion occurred on Saturday morning around 8:45 am (03:45 GMT) as nearly 100 passengers were waiting on the platform for a train bound for Peshawar.

Balochistan, Pakistan's largest and poorest province, is frequently targeted by separatist armed groups. It is home to the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), which claimed responsibility for the attack. In a statement, the BLA said a suicide bomber specifically targeted security forces stationed at the railway station. The BLA has long waged an insurgency seeking independence for Balochistan, citing the exploitation of the region's rich natural resources by the central government.

Saadullah Akhter, a journalist who witnessed the aftermath, spoke to Al Jazeera about the surge in violence in the region since the start of 2024, noting that while attacks on security forces have been common, this was the first time that central Quetta had been targeted. "It is very shocking to many people," he said.

Shahid Rind, a spokesman for the provincial government, stated that the bombing appeared to be a suicide attack, though investigations were still underway to confirm the BLA’s involvement. Security forces were gathering evidence and assessing the scale of the explosion. Images from the scene showed scattered personal items and bloodstained clothing, while TV footage revealed significant damage, including a collapsed platform roof and a destroyed tea stall.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the bombing, vowing that those responsible would face severe consequences. He also emphasised that security forces were determined to root out terrorism in the region. The BLA had previously claimed responsibility for major attacks, including an August assault that killed 39 people and a deadly attack on miners in October that left 20 dead and several others injured.

Balochistan has long been a flashpoint for conflict, with insurgent groups targeting both military forces and infrastructure, including energy projects, often accusing foreign investors, particularly from China, of exploiting the region while excluding local populations from the benefits.