Blast at Quetta Railway Station in Pakistan: Death toll at 26, BLA claims responsibility for attack

Quetta, Pakistan

At least 26 people were killed and 50 others were injured on Saturday (Nov 9) following a bomb blast at a railway station in Pakistan's Quetta, Balochistan. 

Addressing a press conference, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Operations Muhammad Baloch said that an investigation was underway. He said that the explosion took place inside the railway station when the Peshawar-bound express was about to leave for its destination.

The dead included 14 soldiers. 

"Fourteen members of the army and 12 civilians were killed," said Wasim Baig, spokesperson for Quetta's Sandeman Provincial Hospital, raising an earlier toll of 25 provided by police. 

Forty-six members of the security forces and 14 civilians were wounded, Baig added.

Blast occurred inside railway platform

Citing Edhi Rescue Service head Zeeshan, a report by Dawn on Saturday said that the explosion occurred at a platform inside the railway station. In a statement, Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind said that police and security forces had reached the site of the incident.

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A report by Dawn said that the bomb disposal squad was collecting evidence from the site and a report was sought on the explosion. A state of emergency was imposed in hospitals in the area.

The statement said that the injured people were being provided with medical aid.

BLA claims responsibility for explosion

Rge Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has taken responsibility for the blast at the railway station in Quetta, calling it a suicide attack.

Pakistan is grappling with a surge in strikes by separatist ethnic militants in the south and Islamist militants in its northwest. In August, at least 73 people were killed in Balochistan after separatist militants attacked police stations, railway lines and highways.

(With inputs from agencies)