Pakistan train bombing kills 24, injures over 100 in Balochistan

File photo

NEW DELHI: At least two dozen Pakistan personnel were killed and over 100 injured as a shuttle train was blown up in Balochistan's Quetta on Sunday morning. The train had travelled a short distance after picking up passengers from Quetta military cantonment when it became the target of a massive Suicide Vehicle-borne (SVB-IED) attack near 'Chaman Phatak'. The Majeed Brigade of Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the “Fidayeen attack", claiming the assault specifically targeted Pakistani army personnel travelling on the train. The train was reportedly carrying over 300 Pakistani military personnel when the explosion hit, detailing one of its three bogies. The vehicle-borne blast caused the train to derail and triggered a fire. Local youtubers showed at least one bogie of the train as completely destroyed, while nearby houses and vehicles also suffered heavy damage in the explosion that occurred on the railway track. Emergency services and locals rushed to the spot to rescue the victims. They were taken to the local civil hospital Quetta, FC Hospital, and CMH for treatment. Security forces sealed off the area as rescue and investigation operations continued amidst fears that the death toll may rise as passengers are still being recovered from the wreckage. In their statement, the BLA said: "This morning, the Majeed Brigade, the fidayee (self-sacrificing) unit of the Baloch Liberation Army, targeted a train trans porting personnel of the occupying forces from Quetta Cantt in a highly organized fidayee attack. The Baloch Liberation Army accepts full responsibility for this operation. Detailed information regarding the operation, along with the specific material and human casualties inflicted upon the enemy as a result of the attack, will be released shortly in an official statement to the media. "