A suicide bombing at a railway station in Pakistan's Balochistan province has resulted in the deaths of at least 27 people, including 14 security personnel, and left 62 others injured. The blast occurred at the Quetta railway station just before the departure of a train, with around 100 people on the platform at the time. Officials are warning that the death toll may rise as some of the wounded are in critical condition.
Deadly Suicide Bombing Rocks Quetta Railway Station
Quetta, Pakistan - A suicide bombing at Quetta railway station in Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province has claimed at least 27 lives, including 14 security personnel, and left 62 others injured.
Details of the Attack
The explosion occurred at approximately 9:50 AM local time on April 15, 2021, as a passenger train was preparing to depart for Karachi. As per witness accounts, the bomber detonated his explosives on the platform, where around 100 people were present.
The blast ripped through the crowded station, shattering windows and sending debris flying. The impact was so intense that it overturned several vehicles parked nearby.
Casualties and Aftermath
Medical officials have confirmed the death of at least 27 people, including 14 members of the Frontier Corps, a paramilitary force responsible for security in Balochistan. The injured, many of them in critical condition, have been rushed to local hospitals.
Rescue operations are underway, and authorities are combing the area for evidence and searching for any additional victims.
Investigation and Responsibility Claim
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist militant group operating in Balochistan, has claimed responsibility for the attack. The group has been fighting for the independence of Balochistan from Pakistan since 2004.
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan condemned the attack as "an act of terrorism" and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice. Investigation teams have been deployed to determine the specifics of the operation and to identify the individual responsible.
Balochistan's History of Violence
Balochistan, a resource-rich province bordering Iran and Afghanistan, has a long history of violence and unrest. Baloch separatist groups have waged an armed campaign against the Pakistani government for decades, demanding greater autonomy and control over the province's natural resources.
In recent years, the province has also become a battleground for sectarian and militant groups linked to the Taliban and Islamic State. The Pakistani military has conducted several operations in Balochistan to quell the insurgency, but the province remains a hotbed of conflict.
Top 5 FAQs
1. What is the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA)?
2. Why is Balochistan important?
3. Has the BLA claimed responsibility for previous attacks?
4. How is Pakistan responding to the attack?
5. What is the security situation in Balochistan?
A leopard attack in Mandavgan Pharata village in Pune district claimed the life of a four-year-old boy, marking the ninth fatality in human-leopard conflict in the Junnar forest division since March. The boy, who was visiting his native village with his family, was attacked while playing near his house. Forest officials have installed trap cages and are using drone cameras to trace the leopard's movements, and have advised caution for residents in the area where leopards are known to be present. This incident follows the death of a seven-year-old boy in the same area last month, highlighting the danger of living in areas with a high concentration of leopards.
The Supreme Court has announced that emergency measures under Stage 4 of the GRAP for air pollution in Delhi will continue until Monday, with exception to modifications related to schools. An explosion was reported near a PVR theatre in Prashant Vihar, followed by an attack on an ED team investigating a money laundering case. The national capital recorded an AQI of 310, placing it in the 'very poor' category, with Mundka reaching an alarming level of 373. The situation is now under control, but concerns for air quality and safety remain high in Delhi.
Uttarakhand, a land renowned for its spirituality and wellness, will host the World Ayurveda Congress and Arogya Expo 2024, setting the stage for an International Assembly to discuss strategies for the worldwide promotion and integration of Ayurveda. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's efforts to bolster the global advocacy for Ayurveda have paved the way for this historic event, which will bring together delegates from countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Argentina, Sri Lanka, Germany, and Canada. With Uttarakhand making history as the first Himalayan state to host the Congress, this event marks a significant milestone in the state's growing recognition as a hub for Ayurvedic research and practice.
A growing trend of misinformation spreading on Chinese social media platforms has led to false claims of abuse towards pandas at US zoos, sparking an outcry from Chinese citizens and further damaging the already tense relationship between the US and China. Despite fact-checking efforts, influencer posts have continued to circulate, causing concern for the future of Chinese "panda diplomacy," where the bears are often gifted to other countries as a symbol of friendship. The false claims are seen as a reflection of the growing competition and animosity between the two global powers.
Schools in Chennai, Kanchipuram, and Tiruvallur in Southern India have been closed due to heavy rainfall in the region, which caused moderate to heavy rains in the past 24 hours. The India Meteorological Department has issued a warning for moderate to heavy rainfall in several districts in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry until 10 am on Thursday. In addition, 14 districts in Southern India have declared school closures due to the severe rainfall, and some colleges in the region will also remain shut.
As we commemorate International Mountain Day 2024, let's delve into this year's theme of 'Mountain solutions for a sustainable future - innovation, adaptation, and youth'. With mountains hosting half of the world's biodiversity hotspots and providing crucial resources like food and water, it is important to find innovative and adaptable solutions to preserve them amidst climate change and overexploitation. This year's theme emphasizes on the need for innovation and adaptation, while also highlighting the role of youth in ensuring a sustainable future for mountains.
As we commemorate the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on December 10, the theme for this year, "Equality for All: Reducing Inequality and Advancing Human Rights", serves as a reminder for collective efforts towards justice, equality, and dignity for all individuals. Let's come together to uphold the rights of humanity and wish for a future where every person is treated with dignity and respect.
The end of the Assad regime in Syria has revealed shocking details about the financial empire built by President Bashar al-Assad and his family. Reports suggest that the family's wealth includes 200 tons of gold, 16 billion dollars, and 5 billion euros, which are largely inaccessible to the Syrian people. While exact figures are difficult to determine, it is clear that the Assad family's fortune includes a network of hidden assets and offshore accounts used to fund their grip on power.
A day after a deadly explosion in a Hague apartment building, Dutch authorities are still searching for survivors as the recovery mission continues. Five people have been confirmed dead and five others are injured with slim chances of survival for anyone else trapped in the rubble. 40 homes have been evacuated as police investigate and appeal for witnesses in hopes of determining the cause of the blast.
In a significant development in the Syrian conflict, rebels have captured towns just miles from Damascus, the capital of the country. With the regime's military sending reinforcements to defend the key city of Homs, the insurgents are said to be moving towards Damascus from southern Syria. Assad's allies, including Russia and Iran, have been preoccupied with other conflicts, leaving the Syrian leader increasingly isolated. This development raises concerns about the future of Assad's regime and the ongoing crisis in Syria.