Pakistan train blast: 24 killed, dozens injured in suspected suicide sttack in Balochistan

A powerful bomb explosion struck a shuttle train carrying Pakistani security personnel and their families in Pakistan’s southwestern province of Balochistan on Sunday (May 24), killing at least 24 people and injuring more than 70, according to provincial government and security officials cited by Reuters.The attack, which has been claimed by the separatist militant group Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), targeted a train operating near the provincial capital Quetta, an area that has witnessed repeated militant violence in recent years. The BLA said in a statement that it carried out the attack as a suicide bombing, though Reuters noted it could not independently verify the claim.

Train derailed, nearby buildings damaged
According to Pakistan’s railways ministry, the shuttle train was travelling from Quetta’s cantonment area to connect with the Jaffar Express when the explosion occurred near a railway track. The blast derailed the engine and three coaches, while two additional coaches overturned.

A security official, as quoted in reports, said an explosives-laden vehicle struck one of the train’s bogies in a residential area. Some of the victims were reportedly residents of nearby buildings that were damaged in the explosion.

Images from the site showed extensive destruction, including burnt-out vehicles, twisted metal, damaged residential structures, and thick smoke rising from the wreckage.

Emergency response and casualtiesLocal officials said rescue operations were launched immediately, with security forces cordoning off the area. Hospitals in Quetta received dozens of injured, with some in critical condition, according to medical staff cited by the Associated Press (AP). Doctors reported receiving more than 30 wounded patients shortly after the blast.

Balochistan provincial government spokesperson Shahid Rind condemned the attack, saying, “We strongly condemn the targeting of innocent civilians and are deeply saddened by the loss of precious human lives. Terrorist elements deserve no leniency,” as reported by AP. A medical emergency was declared across hospitals in Quetta, and an investigation has been launched.

Militant violence in Balochistan

The attack is the latest in a series of high-profile incidents in Balochistan, a mineral-rich but insurgency-hit province bordering Iran and Afghanistan. Separatist groups, including the Baloch Liberation Army, have long demanded greater autonomy or independence and have frequently targeted security forces, infrastructure, and state installations.

In one of the deadliest recent incidents, BLA militants hijacked the Jaffar Express in March 2025, holding hundreds of passengers hostage before a military operation ended the standoff. Pakistani authorities said dozens were killed during the operation, including hostages, troops, and attackers.

Earlier this year, Pakistani security forces also conducted large-scale counterinsurgency operations following coordinated attacks across the province that left nearly 50 people dead, according to provincial officials.

Government response

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the bombing as a “heinous bomb explosion” in a post on social media platform X, expressing condolences to victims’ families and saying the nation stands with the people of Balochistan, according to Reuters.

Authorities have not yet confirmed the full nature of the attack or the final casualty count, as rescue and identification efforts continue.