A powerful explosion near Chaman Phatak in Quetta kills at least 14 people, including three Frontier Corps personnel, in one of the deadliest attacks in recent months.
A devastating suicide bombing on a passenger train near Chaman Phatak in Quetta has left at least 14 dead and over 20 injured. The blast occurred shortly after 8 am as the train was traveling from Quetta Cantonment Railway Station towards the city railway station, according to officials. The explosion caused widespread damage, with train compartments, nearby vehicles, and surrounding houses badly damaged.
The Balochistan Home Department confirmed that a Vehicle-Borne Suicide Bomber (VBSB) targeted the shuttle train service near Chaman Phatak. Most of those killed were civilians, including bystanders, passersby, and residents living adjacent to the blast site. One family lost four members—father, mother, daughter, and son—in the explosion.
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a banned terrorist group, claimed responsibility for the attack. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned it as a "cowardly" act of terrorism, vowing that such attacks would not weaken the resolve of the Pakistani people.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos and panic. Mohammad Rahim said he was asleep when a loud bang woke him up, followed by screams from nearby buildings. Abdul Basit, standing in a queue to buy breakfast, witnessed people running for shelter. Mujib Ahmad, whose vehicle was damaged, immediately suspected it was a terror attack.
The blast site showed extensive damage, with train compartments partially derailed and nearby vehicles severely damaged. Rescue workers, security officials, and local volunteers launched immediate rescue efforts, helping trapped passengers out of the wreckage. Ambulances rushed injured victims to hospitals across Quetta, where authorities declared a medical emergency.
Emergency response mechanisms were activated immediately after the attack. An emergency was declared in major hospitals, and Section 144 was imposed in the area as part of existing security arrangements. A central control room at the Deputy Commissioner's Office coordinated rescue and response activities, while a dedicated monitoring cell was established at the Home Department to maintain communication among all concerned institutions.
Security forces sealed off the blast site, and police, Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), bomb disposal squads, and forensic teams launched an investigation. The Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti convened a high-level meeting in Quetta to review security measures and assess initial findings.
The Central Police Office (CPO) Balochistan issued a threat alert warning of possible terrorist attacks on major highways, including the Quetta-Chaman Highway and Quetta-Pishin Road. Security agencies were directed to tighten surveillance and enhance precautionary measures.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack, expressing grief over the loss of innocent lives. The president said terrorist acts aimed at harming Pakistan would be thwarted through security forces' efforts. The prime minister reaffirmed the country's commitment to eliminating terrorism in all its forms.
The incident highlights the ongoing threat of terrorism and underscores the need for robust security measures to protect civilians.
