Blast on Train in Balochistan Claims Over 20 Lives

A tragic explosion on Sunday morning has resulted in the deaths of at least 20 individuals and injuries to around 70 others in Balochistan, Pakistan. The incident occurred while a train transporting military personnel passed through Chaman Phatak station, located in the capital city of Quetta.

Railway officials reported that three carriages and the engine were derailed, with two carriages overturning due to the blast. The train was primarily carrying service members and their families who were on their way home for the Eid holiday.

The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist group, has claimed responsibility for the incident, describing it as a suicide bombing. However, Pakistani authorities have yet to verify this claim. Eyewitness accounts indicated that a vehicle loaded with explosives collided with the train, resulting in the massive explosion.

Images from the scene depict severely damaged and burnt train carriages, alongside nearby vehicles and structures affected by the blast. "The train was moving and there were passengers on board when the explosion occurred," stated local resident Naseer Ahmed, recalling the moment when the explosion shattered the windows of his home.

Officials have confirmed that, among those killed, three were soldiers. A state of emergency was declared in hospitals throughout the region to accommodate the influx of victims.

The train had originated from a military encampment and was en route to Quetta's main railway station before proceeding to Peshawar and the travellers’ home towns. This recent attack marks a continuation of previous incidents involving the BLA targeting train services in the province.

In the past two years, instances of attacks on the Jaffar Express have been notable, including a significant hijacking in March 2025 when militants commandeered a train and took passengers hostage.

The BLA alleges that the central government is exploiting Balochistan's vast mineral resources at the expense of its local population. This southwestern province is a substantial region, making up nearly 44% of Pakistan's total land area, and it shares borders with both Iran and Afghanistan.

The reported violence continues a trend observed in early February when clashes erupted in Quetta, leading to the deaths of 31 civilians. In related developments, the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Pakistan has now been aggravated due to the spate of violent incidents attributed to separatist groups. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif publicly condemned the attack, asserting, "Such cowardly acts of terrorism cannot weaken the resolve of the people of Pakistan," and expressed solidarity with the citizens of Balochistan during this time of mourning.