ISLAMABAD — At least 21 people were killed and 30 others were injured in a bomb explosion near 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.
The Jaffer Express was scheduled to depart for Peshawar at 9am, according to railway officials.
Officials informed Geo News 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 said that the explosion seemed to be a suicide blast. However, he noted that further investigation was underway.
Providing details on the death toll SSP Operations Baloch said that the death toll stood at 21 with 30 others wounded in the 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.
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.
Meanwhile, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz 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 CM 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.
As per a report issued by the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), the third quarter of the ongoing year witnessed a 90% surge in violence.
With a total of 722 people being killed, including civilians, security personnel, and outlaws, while 615 others were wounded in as many as 328 incidents recorded during the period under review, 97% of the se fatalities occurred in the aforementioned provinces.
Furthermore, over 92% of these incidents of terror attacks and security forces’ operations were recorded in the same provinces.
The total fatalities from three quarters of this year have now surpassed the total fatalities recorded for the entire 2023; the number of fatalities rose to at least 1534 in the first three quarters compared to 1523 in 2023. — (Geo News)