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.
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