Quetta, Pakistan — Tragic Scene Unfolds as 26 Die in Station Bombing
In a devastating suicide bombing at Quetta Railway Station in Pakistan’s Balochistan province on Saturday, at least 26 people, including security personnel and civilians, were killed and dozens injured. The attack targeted passengers waiting to board the Peshawar-bound Jaffar Express. Eyewitnesses described a horrific scene, with survivors comparing it to “Judgement Day.”
Eyewitness Accounts Detail Chaos and Horror
Ikhtiar Hussain, a senior ticket inspector for Pakistan Railways, arrived at the station just before the blast occurred, sustaining injuries from shrapnel. Recalling the event from the hospital, Hussain said, “It was a view of Judgement Day,” describing the chaos as people fell to the ground amid blood and destruction. Another eyewitness, Hafiz Allah Ditta, who had been at the station to see off a friend, described how the area was rocked by the powerful explosion, leaving his friend in critical condition.
BLA Claims Responsibility Amid Growing Regional Violence
The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), an armed secessionist group, claimed responsibility for the bombing, marking another tragic incident in the province, which has seen a surge in violence in recent months. Law enforcement officials are investigating how the attacker managed to bypass station security.
Official Response and Calls for Increased Security
Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and senior political leaders condemned the attack, pledging to bring those responsible to justice. Many residents, however, are questioning the station’s security measures. Commissioner Hamza Shafqat noted that CCTV footage indicated the attacker entered the station posing as a passenger before detonating the explosives.
Survivors Recall Scenes of Destruction
Railway employee Muhammad Amir Rafique, who was on duty during the bombing, described the immediate aftermath, with injured passengers screaming for help and bodies lying on the floor. Rafique, along with police and rescue workers, assisted in moving the wounded to ambulances.
Regional Instability Fuels Ongoing Violence in Balochistan
The attack comes amid a broader security crisis in Balochistan, a region where Pakistani forces are engaged in efforts against various militant groups, including the BLA. Last week, nine people were killed in a bombing that targeted a police vehicle in Mastung, underscoring the precarious security situation in the area.