Sunday saw a deadly suicide attack on a train in Pakistan, resulting in at least 24 fatalities. According to local authorities, the train-which was transporting military personnel and their families-was attacked in the city of Quetta, situated in the southwestern province of Balochistan. The force of the explosions caused two of the train’s wagons to capsize.
Dozens of other individuals were injured in the incident and were subsequently rushed to local hospitals. Notably, the attack occurred in an area that is typically secured by security forces. Furthermore, several buildings and more than a dozen vehicles along the route were damaged.
The outlawed Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the assault, according to media reports. This group, which seeks independence from the Pakistani central government, stated that its motive for targeting the train was its transport of security forces. In response, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack as a “cowardly act of terror” and extended his condolences to the families of the victims. Sharif affirmed the nation’s resolve, stating, “We remain steadfast in our determination to eliminate terrorism in all its forms and manifestations”.
