At least 27 people were killed and 40 others were injured in a suicide explosion at Quetta’s railway station, marking the latest incident of unrest in Balochistan.
Preliminary reports indicate that the explosion took place at the railway station’s booking office, which usually witnesses a significant number of people, resulting in the high death toll so far.
While police and rescue personnel reached the site of the blast, emergency was imposed in Quetta’s Civil Hospital, with additional doctors and support staff called in.
Meanwhile, Quetta Commissioner Hamza Shafqaat has confirmed that the explosion was suicidal in nature.
Revealing that the suicide bomber entered the station with luggage, the commissioner said that it was difficult to stop a person whose intention was to carry out a suicide attack.
Speaking to Geo News, Shafqaat urged the people to donate blood due to blood shortage.
The official further confirmed that law enforcement agencies’ (LEAs) personnel were among those martyred in the attack for which a banned organisation has claimed responsibility.
The Jaffer Express was scheduled to depart for Peshawar at 9am, according to railway officials.
Officials informed that with several of the injured in critical condition, the death toll from the blast may rise.
Talking to the media, Senior Superintendent Police (SSP) Operations Quetta Muhammad Baloch earlier said that the explosion seemed to be a suicide blast.
“The blast took place inside the railway station when the Peshawar-bound express was about to leave for its destination,” said the police officer.
