Bombing at Quetta Railway Station Kills 25, Including 14 Soldiers, in Pakistan’s Balochistan Province

A powerful explosion at the main railway station in Quetta, the capital of Pakistan’s Balochistan province, killed 25 people, including 14 soldiers, on Saturday morning. The blast, claimed by the separatist group Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), struck as passengers waited on the platform, triggering chaos and leading to one of the deadliest attacks in the province this year.

Senior local police official Muhammad Baloch confirmed the death toll, which rose from an earlier count of 22. “Fourteen army personnel are among the 25 confirmed dead,” Baloch said. The explosion, which occurred around 8:45 am (0345 GMT), left scenes of devastation at the station, with pools of blood, damaged belongings, and a metal sheet blown off from the station’s protective canopy.

Witnesses and hospital officials described a frantic scene as injured passengers and soldiers were rushed to local medical facilities. A spokesperson from one hospital confirmed that dozens of wounded were brought in, along with multiple fatalities. The BLA later claimed responsibility, stating the attack was aimed at a unit of the Pakistani army stationed at Quetta’s railway station following a training course.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the bombing, declaring in a statement, “The terrorists who have harmed innocent civilians will pay a heavy price.”

Quetta’s railway officials indicated that the explosion occurred near the ticket booth as two trains were scheduled to depart, heightening the scale of injuries. Initial reports suggested an explosive device may have been hidden in luggage, though authorities are now investigating the possibility of a suicide attack, according to Baloch.

Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest but poorest province, is resource-rich but has faced ongoing separatist violence. The BLA has frequently targeted security forces and infrastructure projects, often funded by China, which locals claim exploit regional resources without benefiting residents. The group, which opposes central Pakistani rule, is known for deadly attacks against security forces and people from other provinces, particularly Punjabis.

The Quetta bombing follows an August assault by the BLA involving coordinated attacks that left 39 dead, underscoring the persistent instability and separatist insurgency in the region.