Yasmin Bilal
A passenger train was struck by a powerful explosion in Pakistan’s Balochistan province, killing at least 20 people and injuring several others.
The blast hit a train carrying security personnel near Quetta on Monday. Officials said an explosive device detonated on or near the train as it travelled through a remote stretch of railway line.
The explosion caused extensive damage and triggered panic among passengers.
Emergency teams and security forces were deployed to the scene. Rescue workers searched damaged carriages for victims and assisted the injured. Several passengers were taken to nearby hospitals, with some in critical condition. Authorities warned the death toll could rise.
Rail services in the area were suspended following the attack. Security forces cordoned off the site while debris was cleared from the tracks. Investigators are working to determine how the device was planted and who was responsible.
A militant group operating in the region has claimed responsibility for the bombing, though this has not been independently verified. Investigations are continuing.
Balochistan has long experienced separatist violence and militant activity, with security forces and infrastructure frequently targeted despite ongoing counterinsurgency operations. The attack has renewed concerns over security in the province.
The bombing was condemned by government officials, who said it was intended to spread fear and destabilise the region. They added that security measures along railway lines would be strengthened.