At least 24 people martyred & over 50 others injured in a suicide explosion at Quetta’s railway station
QUETTA/ISLAMABAD, Nov 09 (SABAH): At least 24 people were martyred and over 50 others were injured in a suicide explosion at Quetta’s railway station, marking the latest incident of unrest in Balochistan.
Preliminary reports indicate that the explosion took place at the railway station’s booking office, which usually witnesses a significant number of people, resulting in the high death toll so far.
While police and rescue personnel reached the site of the blast, emergency was imposed in Quetta’s Civil Hospital, with additional doctors and support staff called in.
Meanwhile, Quetta Division Commissioner Muhammad Hamza Shafqaat has confirmed that the explosion was suicidal in nature.
Revealing that the suicide bomber entered the station with luggage, the commissioner said that it was difficult to stop a person whose intention was to carry out a suicide attack.
Speaking to a private channel, Hamza Shafqaat urged the people to donate blood due to blood shortage. “The attacker entered through the open entry points of the station,” the Commissioner said, adding that authorities had initiated snap-checking in various parts of the city and that police and Frontier Corps had been deployed for increased security.
The official further confirmed that law enforcement agencies (LEAs) personnel were among those martyred in the attack for which a banned organisation has claimed responsibility.
The Jaffer Express was scheduled to depart for Peshawar at 9am, according to railway officials.
Officials informed that with several of the injured in critical condition, the death toll from the blast may rise.
Talking to the media, Senior Superintendent Police (SSP) Operations Quetta Muhammad Baloch earlier said that the explosion seemed to be a suicide blast. “The blast took place inside the railway station when the Peshawar-bound express was about to leave for its destination,” said the police officer.
The blast, which also damaged the platform’s roof, was heard far and wide in various areas of the city.
Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind had earlier revealed that nearly 40 people were injured in the blast — of which 10 were in critical condition. He further said that Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Ahmed Khan Bugti has summoned an emergency meeting regarding the province’s law and order situation and will shortly arrive back home after cancelling his foreign visit.
Responding to a query whether there was any specific threat regarding Saturday’s blast, the government spokesperson responded in the negative. However, he acknowledged that a general security threat did exist in light of the prevailing law and order situation in the province.
In a statement, Chief Executive Officer Pakistan Railways Aamir Ali Baloch said that information can be obtained from information desk number 081-9201214 and railway inquiry number 117.
Meanwhile train operations in Quetta have been fully restored. According to the spokesperson of Pakistan Railways, the Jaffar Express and Chaman Passenger have departed from Quetta towards their destinations. The Bolan Express has also departed for Karachi.
The banned militant group Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for the blast.
Meanwhile Acting President Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani has strongly condemned the bomb blast at railway station in Quetta. In a statement, he expressed grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives in the incident. He directed to provide immediate medical aid to the injured.
Yousaf Raza Gillani said terrorists are enemies of humanity who target innocent people. He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to take all possible measures for the complete eradication of terrorism.
Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has strongly condemned the explosion near Quetta railway station. Commiserating with the bereaved families, he prayed for the departed souls. He directed to provide medical aid to the injured. The Prime Minister also sought an investigation report of the incident from Balochistan government.
PM Shehbaz Sharif said the terrorists who harm the lives and property of innocent people will have to pay a heavy price. He reaffirmed the commitment to eradicate the menace of terrorism.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has strongly condemned the blast that occurred near Quetta Railway Station on Saturday, expressing deep sorrow over the tragic loss of lives. In a statement, Naqvi extended heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the attack and offered prayers for the swift recovery of the injured.
Mohsin Naqvi emphasised that the terrorists responsible for targeting innocent people are undeserving of any leniency, reiterating the government’s commitment to bringing them to justice.
Meanwhile, Balochistan CM Mir Sarfraz Ahmed Khan Bugti has directed the relevant officials to investigate the fatal incident. The chief minister further reiterated the resolve to eradicate the scourge of terrorism from the province.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah also condemned the blast. Expressing sorrow, he said: “I am deeply saddened by the loss of lives in this act of terrorism in Quetta.” He added that anti-state elements are trying to create an atmosphere of fear.
Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhry condemned the Quetta blast and expressed sympathy with the victims. “These cowardly attacks cannot weaken our resolve,” said Iqbal. “We will bring the terrorists to justice,” he added.
Ahsan Iqbal assured that the government would conduct a thorough investigation into the incident and affirmed that there would be no compromise in the commitment to progress and peace.
Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) Convener Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui also condemned the blast, saying that the rising incidents of terrorism in the country are deeply concerning.
He urged the government to ensure better arrangements for the treatment of the injured. “May Allah grant forgiveness to the deceased and patience to their families,” he added.
Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Emir Engineer Hafiz Naeemur Rehman termed the incident “truly tragic” and added that repeated acts of terrorism in Balochistan are raising questions about the country’s security.
He expressed heartfelt condolences to the affected families and called on the government to ensure the restoration of peace in Balochistan through urgent and concrete measures.
Religious scholars of all schools of thought as well as leaders of various religious communities have strongly condemned the attack on Quetta railway station.
In a joint statement, they said action should be taken at every level against the enemies of humanity, including terrorists, foreign elements and their facilitators.
Chairman of Pakistan Ulema Council, Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi, Allama Abdul Haq Mujahid, Maulana Noman Hasher, Maulana Asadullah Farooq, Maulana Muhammad Khan Leghari, Sahibzada Hassan Haseeb-ur-Rehman, Allama Syed Ziaullah Shah Bukhari, Allama Arif Wahidi, Bishop Azad Marshall, Sardar Bishan Singh called the perpetrators ruthless terrorists and murderers. They emphasized that the entire nation stands united against these terrorists.