27 martyred in Quetta railway station suicide blast

Ag Agencies

QUETTA: Twenty seven people were martyred and more than 60 sustained injuries on Saturday in a suicide blast at the railway station of Quetta, Balochistan’s provincial capital.

The explosion occurred near the railway station’s booking office shortly before a Peshawar-bound train reached the platform. Rescue officials and police arrived at the blast site and shifted the dead and injured to hospitals. A state of emergency was declared at Quetta’s Civil Hospital, with extra doctors and support staff summoned to assist. Quetta Commissioner Hamza Shafqaat, meanwhile, confirmed it was a suicide explosion. Speaking to Geo News, Shafqaat urged people to donate blood for the injured. He further confirmed law enforcement agencies’ (LEAs) personnel were among those martyred in the attack.

The Jaffer Express was scheduled to depart for Peshawar at 9am, according to railway officials. Officials said at least 10 injured were in critical condition.

Talking to the media, Senior Superintendent Police (SSP) Operations Quetta Muhammad Baloch earlier said the explosion seemed to be a suicide blast. “The blast took place inside the railway station when the Peshawar-bound express (Jaffer Express) was about to leave for its destination,” said the police officer.

The blast, which also damaged the platform’s roof, was heard far and wide in various areas of the city.

Talking to Geo News, Balochistan government’s spokesperson Shahid Rind earlier said nearly 40 people were injured in the blast—of which 10 were in critical condition.

He further said Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti has summoned an emergency meeting regarding the province’s law and order situation and will shortly arrive back home after cancelling his foreign visit.

Responding to a query whether there was any specific threat regarding Saturday’s blast, the government spokesperson responded in the negative. However, he acknowledged that a general security threat did exist in light of the prevailing law and order situation in the province.

Acting President Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the Quetta blast. They prayed for the eternal peace of the departed souls and for the bereaved families to bear the losses with fortitude.

The acting president expressed his deep grief over the loss of precious lives, President Secretariat Press Wing said in a press release. He said terrorists were the enemies of humanity who targeted innocent people and reiterated the resolve of taking all possible measures to efface terrorism.

The prime minister reiterated that terrorists inflicting harm on the lives and properties of innocent people would have to pay the heavy price, PM Office Media Wing said in a press release. The government and security forces were fully active to eliminate terrorism, he added. The prime minister sought an inquiry report from the Balochistan government over the incident.

Meanwhile, Balochistan CM Bugti has directed the relevant officials to investigate the fatal incident. The chief minister 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 anti-state elements are trying to create an atmosphere of fear.

Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) Convener Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui also condemned the blast, saying that the rising incidents of terrorism in the country are deeply concerning. He urged the government to ensure better arrangements for the treatment of the injured. “May Allah grant forgiveness to the deceased and patience to their families,” he added.

Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman termed the incident “truly tragic” and added repeated acts of terrorism in Balochistan are raising questions about the country’s security.

He expressed heartfelt condolences to the affected families and called on the government to ensure the restoration of peace in Balochistan through urgent and concrete measures.