As many as 24 people were killed and 20 others injured on Sunday in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province after militants targeted a train carrying military personnel, officials said.
The blast caused partial damage to the train and destroyed 10 parked vehicles in the area, police confirmed. The impact of the explosion also shattered window panes and glass panels of nearby buildings.
The explosion occurred near Chaman Phatak railway station in Quetta. Rescue officials said 20 people sustained injuries in the blast. Shortly after the incident, the government declared an emergency in all state-run hospitals across Quetta, directing doctors and medical staff to remain on duty.
Railway authorities stopped the Peshawar-bound Jaffar Express at Quetta Railway Station as a precautionary measure.
A spokesperson for the Home Minister said all institutions, including civil and military ones, have been placed on high alert following the explosion. He urged people not to gather near the blast site to ensure safety and allow emergency teams to carry out rescue operations smoothly.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Army has reportedly killed over 25 militants belonging to several proscribed outfits, including BLA, BLA-F, and TTP, over the past two days. The Pakistan Air Force has also conducted a series of aerial bombings against militants in the mountainous terrain, targeting outfits that Pakistan believes are supported by the Afghan Taliban.
Also read: 8 militants killed in northwest Pak
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