Bomb blast on train in Quetta kills at least 20, injures over 50
Quick Look
- A bomb explosion in Quetta, Pakistan, killed at least 20 people and injured over 50 when it struck a train.
- The Balochistan Liberation Army claimed responsibility for the blast, which also damaged nearby buildings and led to a state of emergency in local hospitals.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
A bomb exploded on a train in Quetta, Pakistan, killing at least 20 people and injuring over 50. The Balochistan Liberation Army claimed responsibility, stating the explosive was planted in a nearby car park. The attack damaged nearby buildings and caused a state of emergency in local hospitals.
A bomb explosion in Quetta, the capital of the southwestern Pakistani province of Balochistan, has killed at least 20 people and wounded more than 50 others.
Separatist group Balochistan Liberation Army claimed responsibility for Sunday’s blast, which took place when a train was travelling through the city, causing some carriages to overturn and catch fire.
Reporting from the scene, Al Jazeera’s Kamal Hyder said the explosive was apparently planted in a nearby car park. He said several houses and buildings adjacent to the railway line were severely damaged.
According to local media reports, a state of emergency was declared at public hospitals in Quetta, with doctors and other medical staff ordered to remain on duty.
Footage shared online showed charred vehicles and train carriages lying on their sides.
Hyder said Pakistan has experienced several attacks by separatist groups in recent months. The attacks have increased in ferocity and have also targeted Chinese workers due to opposition to Beijing’s infrastructure projects in Balochistan, he added. Under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, China’s Xinjiang region has been connected to Pakistan’s Gwadar port.
Open Questions
- What specific security measures were in place on the train?
- What is the exact number of casualties?
- What is the Pakistani government's immediate response to the attack?
- What are the implications for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor projects?
