26 die in Quetta railway station suicide bombing

QUETTA: A suicide bombing at the Quetta Railway Station on Saturday morning claimed the lives of 26 people, including security personnel, and left 62 injured. The blast occurred when a large number of passengers had assembled on the platform to board the Jaffar Express. With the death of the suicide bomber, the overall death toll is 27 but there are fears that the toll may rise.

The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) of Balochistan has confirmed that the explosion at the Quetta Railway Station was a suicide attack, resulting in the martyrdom of 27 people.

According to a statement issued by the ISPR, Namaz-e-Janaza for the Shuhada, who embraced martyrdom in a suicide blast targeting innocent citizens and passengers at the Quetta Railway Station, was offered in the Quetta Garrison on Saturday.

The funeral was attended by General Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff, Federal Minister of Interior, Governor and Chief Minister Balochistan, provincial ministers and a large number of military and civilian officials. Following the funeral, the COAS visited the CMH Quetta and met with the injured of the tragic incident.

According to CTD’s initial report, the suicide bomber was carrying a bag containing 8-10 kilograms of explosive material. The attacker detonated the explosives in a crowd of passengers.

According to the Quetta Division Commissioner Muhammad Hamza Shafqat, the suicide bomber detonated the explosive device in the crowded main platform area (Platform No 1) at around 8:30am. The commissioner confirmed that the attack targeted security forces and urged the public to visit hospitals to donate blood rather than coming to the station or hospital as onlookers. He advised people to avoid bus terminals, stations and crowded areas, noting the difficulty of stopping a suicide bomber as terrorists typically target “soft” areas. BLA, a banned organisation, has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Quetta SSP Operations Muhammad Baloch informed the media at the scene that there were around 150 to 200 people present at the station when the explosion happened. Initial investigations suggest it was a suicide attack, and the remains of suspected bomber have been sent for DNA testing. CTD officials stated that Nadra (National Database and Registration Authority) would assist in identifying the attacker.

Quetta Deputy Commissioner Saad bin Asad explained that the terrorist did not enter through walkthrough gates but instead used an open entrance to reach the station. Railways officials reported that passengers for the Jaffar Express bound for Peshawar and Chaman Passenger Express were present on the platform at the time of the explosion.

Following the incident, a large number of security forces, rescue personnel and administration officials arrived at the scene, transporting the deceased and injured to hospitals. Police surgeon Dr Ayesha Faiz confirmed the death toll of 25, with 62 others injured. Of these, 24 were transferred to the CMH (Combined Military Hospital) and 13 to the Trauma Center. Hospital officials stated that 25 injured patients were given initial treatment and then discharged.

Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti called for an emergency meeting to address the province’s law and order challenges. The CM, who was on a foreign visit, cancelled the visit and returned to the country. On Saturday night, federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and CM Bugti visited the Trauma Center of Civil Hospital, where they met the injured victims.

The interior minister said that this was his tenth visit to the province in the last 5 to 7 months, and the government and security forces would jointly fight terrorism. He emphasized that terrorism would be eradicated. He condemned the heinous act and expressed deep sorrow over the loss of innocent lives. He added that the Chief of Pakistan Army had also visited Quetta and they would bring the terrorists to justice. Naqvi questioned where the champions of human rights were, asking why they were silent on such incidents where innocent civilians lost their lives. He further pointed out that the government needed to address who was inciting young Baloch to commit terrorism.

CM Bugti said that they were living in a conflict zone and had instructed investigations into the incident.

Earlier, in a statement, CM Bugti strongly condemned the blast and expressed deep concern over the ongoing targeting of innocent civilians. He also contacted senior administrative officials, instructing them to immediately initiate an investigation into the incident. The CM described the attack as “highly condemnable” and pointed out that it is part of a disturbing trend of targeting innocent individuals. He emphasized that terrorists are now focusing on vulnerable groups, including ordinary citizens, labourers, children and women. “Terrorists who target innocent civilians are beyond compassion. They don’t deserve of being called humans. They have sunk so low that they are worse than animals,” CM Bugti said.

He further stated that authorities have made significant progress in identifying those involved in multiple terrorist incidents and vowed to bring all culprits to justice. “We are determined to pursue the terrorists and ensure they face consequences of their actions,” he added. The chief minister reaffirmed that the provincial government’s operations against terrorists would continue relentlessly. “We will eliminate terrorists from Balochistan and ensure that those responsible for these heinous acts are held accountable.”

Balochistan Governor Jaffar Khan Mandokhel strongly condemned the tragic blast. He termed the act of sabotage and terrorism as “unacceptable” and emphasized that such violence had no place in a city like Quetta. Governor Mandokhel directed law enforcement agencies to take immediate and decisive action against those responsible for the attack. He called for the perpetrators to be brought to justice and urged all available resources to be utilized to prevent future incidents. In his statement, the governor expressed condolences to the grieving families and instructed that all necessary medical assistance be provided to the injured immediately.

Prime Minister Mian Shehbaz Sharif held a telephonic conversation with the Balochistan governor and condemned the heinous terrorist attack. He expressed deep sorrow and extended condolences to the grieving families, assuring swift and strict action against those responsible. He conveyed solidarity with the bereaved, sharing their pain. Meanwhile, the prime minister reiterated that terrorists inflicting harm on the lives and properties of innocent people would have to pay a heavy price, the PM Office Media Wing said in a press release. The government and security forces were fully active to eliminate terrorism, he added. The prime minister sought an inquiry report from Balochistan government over the incident. He also directed for provision of treatment to injured on priority basis.

Condemning the deadly incident, Acting President Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani said terrorists were enemies of humanity who targeted innocent people. Gillani reiterated the resolve to take all possible measures for the complete eradication of terrorism.

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said the incident showed incompetence and failure of government and institutions. He expressed deep grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives.

Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQMP) Convener Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui also condemned the blast, saying that the rising incidents of terrorism in the country are deeply concerning.

Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Emir 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.

Sindh Governor Kamran Khan Tessori phoned the Balochistan governor and condemned the incident. Tessori also expressed sympathy, stating that the people of Sindh stand united with the victims in their sorrow. Both leaders offered prayers for the departed souls and wished a speedy recovery to injured.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi and Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur also condemned the bomb blast. Through separate statements, they expressed their deep sorrow over the loss of innocent lives in the attack and termed it a tragic incident that has caused immense grief to the nation. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif also condemned the blast, calling it a cowardly act aimed at destabilizing the country. Talking to a private news channel, he emphasized that terrorists were targeting defence forces and installations, particularly in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin conveyed his condolences to President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif following a devastating terrorist attack at the Quetta Railway Station. In a letter, President Putin expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, which claimed the lives of several civilians, including women and children, and left many others injured. He strongly condemned the “barbaric crime,” calling for justice for those responsible. He underscored Russia’s solidarity with Pakistan in the fight against terrorism, reaffirming Moscow’s commitment to close cooperation with Islamabad in combatting extremism and protecting citizens from violent acts. “We are determined to continue close cooperation with our Pakistani partners against all forms and manifestations of terrorism,” Putin wrote. He expressed Russia’s determination to assist in the fight against such heinous crimes and hoped that the masterminds behind the attack would be appropriately punished.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister of Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim conveyed his heartfelt condolence and sympathies over the incident. “On behalf of Malaysia, I extend our deepest condolences to the people of Pakistan, who mourn this senseless and devastating loss,” the Malaysian PM wrote on X. He emphasised these acts of utter ruthlessness and violence, targeting both civilians and security personnel, were stark reminders of the relentless threats posed by extremism and ideological rigidity-forces that undermine progress and peace in Muslim societies. “Malaysia stands firmly in solidarity with the Government of Pakistan in its steadfast fight against terrorism,” he added.

The government of Turkiye, condemning the terrorist attack in strongest words, extended condolences to the people of Pakistan and wished a speedy recovery to those injured. “We will continue to support Pakistan in its fight against terrorism,” the Turkish ministry of foreign minister said in a letter.

Meanwhile, German Consul General in Karachi Dr Lotz expressed his condolences to those who were affected in the blast and wished speedy recovery for the injured. In a tweet, it was mentioned that Germany stands in solidarity with Pakistan against terrorism.

The US Mission in Pakistan also condemned the attack and expressed solidarity with Pakistan. In a tweet, it said that they stand with Pakistan in preventing such acts. British High Commissioner in Pakistan Ms Jane Marriott, meanwhile, said that she was appalled by the tragic and senseless loss of life in Quetta. In a statement issued on X, Jane Marriott said that these acts do nothing but sow division. The UK stands with Pakistan in condemning terrorism and violence. “My thoughts and prayers are with the injured and the families of the martyred,” she said. Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moghadam also condemned the attack. In a statement issued on a social media site, he said: “The phenomenon of terrorism is a common threat to the region and demands mutual, regional & collective cooperation to combat.”

In a statement, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) said that it was horrified by the suicide attack. Attacks by militants are rapidly becoming the norm in Balochistan, which has already seen more than its share of violence, it added. The federal and provincial governments must act urgently to stem militancy in the province by immediately initiating a broader dialogue with political forces. “We share the grief of all those who have lost friends and family in this attack,” the HRCP said.

Railways Chairman Mazhar Ali Shah also condemned the explosion, expressing solidarity with the families of those who lost their lives in this tragic incident. He stated that Pakistan Railways connect people and would continue to uphold this mission. Train operations in Quetta were resumed just one hour after the blast. The chairman commended the Quetta Railway Division for its prompt response and swift initiation of a relief operation. An information desks have been set up in all railway divisions nationwide to provide updates on the victims.

Separately, armed assailants set three coal-laden trucks on fire, followed by an attack on security forces arriving at the scene, resulting in the martyrdom of a cop in the Ziarat district on Saturday. According to Ziarat Deputy Commissioner Liaquat Ali Kakar, the trucks transporting coal from Shahrag and Khost in the Harnai area were set ablaze by the unidentified gunmen at Mangi on the Ziarat-Harnai Road, leaving all the three vehicles destroyed.

Following the incident, gunfire was directed at the vehicle of SP Harnai, severely injuring Assistant Sub-Inspector Khalil Malazai who later succumbed to injuries in a hospital. The Government of Balochistan has expressed sorrow over the martyrdom of the cop. Government spokesperson Shahid Rind, in a statement, paid tribute to brave officers who sacrificed their lives for restoration of peace, acknowledging the dedication of security forces including the FC, police and Levies confronting terrorists with courage.