At least 24 people were killed in an explosion at Pakistan's Quetta railway station. At least 44 people were injured. Quetta Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Operations Mohammad Baloch told reporters on Saturday (November 9) that the incident initially appeared to be a suicide attack. But it is not certain. He also said that the investigation is going on to determine the nature of the explosion. Pakistani media Dawn reported this news.
SSP Baloch also told reporters that according to the footage, hundreds of people were present at the spot. Besides, it is said that a train was preparing to leave the platform for Peshawar at the time of the explosion.
Banned insurgent group Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the blast.
Balochistan government spokesman Shahid Rind said in a statement that police and security forces have reached the spot. The nature of the explosion is being investigated. The bomb disposal team is collecting evidence from the scene. A report on the incident has also been sought.
Emergency has been declared in hospitals in Quetta and the injured are being treated, government officials said. Footage of the scene by media outlet Dawn showed debris lying on the platform of the railway station.
Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti condemned the incident, calling it a continuation of targeting innocent people.
In a statement, Chief Minister Bugti further said, 'Terrorists now target innocent people, workers, children and women. Those who target innocent people deserve no mercy.'
He ordered an investigation into the incident. Also communicating with top officials of Balochistan.
He further said, 'Terrorists do not deserve to be considered as human beings. They deviate from humanity; Inferior than animals.'
“We will eliminate terrorism from Balochistan,” he said, reiterating the government's resolve to continue operations against terrorists.
Last August, at least 73 people were killed in a separate militant attack on a police station in Balochistan province.
