A powerful explosion ripped through a passenger shuttle train near Chaman Phatak in Quetta on Sunday morning, killing at least 14 people, including three Frontier Corps (FC) personnel, and injuring 20 others in one of the deadliest attacks in the provincial capital in recent months.

The blast occurred shortly after 8am when the train was travelling from Quetta Cantonment Railway Station towards the city railway station.

Officials said the explosion caused widespread devastation, badly damaging train compartments, nearby vehicles and surrounding houses, while scenes of panic and grief unfolded across the area. Women and children were among the injured, many of whom were shifted to hospitals in emergency conditions.

In an official statement, the Balochistan Home Department confirmed that a Vehicle-Borne Suicide Bomber (VBSB) targeted the shuttle train service near Chaman Phatak.

The department said the majority of those killed were civilians, including bystanders, passersby and residents living in houses adjacent to the blast site. The statement revealed that one family living near the site lost four members—the father, mother, daughter and son—in the devastating explosion.

According to AFP, the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a banned terrorist group, claimed responsibility for the attack. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the bombing as a “cowardly” act of terrorism and vowed that such attacks would not weaken the resolve of the Pakistani people.

Television footage and images from the site showed a mangled train carriage lying on its side as rescuers and local residents climbed over the wreckage in search of survivors. Blood-stained victims were seen being carried away on stretchers while armed security personnel sealed off the area.

A local official told AFP that the train was crossing a signal near Chaman Phatak when an explosive-laden vehicle rammed into one of the coaches, triggering a massive explosion.

The blast shattered windows of nearby buildings and destroyed several parked vehicles. Residents living close to the site described scenes of chaos as the sound of the explosion echoed through the neighborhood.

Mohammad Rahim, who lives near the area, told AFP that he and his family were asleep when the blast occurred. “My family and I jumped out of our beds when we heard a loud bang,” he said. “I heard screaming and the crying of women and children in the building, including my family.”

Another eyewitness, Abdul Basit, said he was standing in a queue to buy breakfast when the explosion took place. “People started running for shelter,” he said.

Mujib Ahmad, whose vehicle was damaged in the explosion, said he immediately sensed that it was a terror attack. “When I heard the blast, I thought that it must be an attack,” he said. “I came out of the building and saw the devastation and my car was severely damaged.”

Police officials said the improvised explosive device used in the attack weighed around 35 kilogrammes. Bomb disposal experts, police investigators and forensic teams later reached the site to collect evidence and determine the exact nature of the explosion.

The explosion ripped through several train compartments, leaving some coaches badly damaged and partially derailed. Nearby vehicles were reduced to twisted metal, while houses in the surrounding locality suffered broken windows, cracked walls and damaged rooftops.

Rescue workers, security officials and local volunteers launched immediate rescue efforts, helping trapped passengers out of the wreckage.

Ambulances rushed the injured to hospitals across Quetta, where authorities declared a medical emergency. Doctors, paramedics and support staff were called in to deal with the influx of casualties.

According to the Home Department, emergency response mechanisms were activated immediately after the attack. An emergency was declared in major hospitals across Quetta to ensure timely treatment of the injured. Section 144 was also imposed in the area as part of existing security arrangements.

Authorities also established a central control room at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Quetta to coordinate rescue and response activities, while a dedicated monitoring and coordination cell was activated at the Home Department to maintain communication among all concerned institutions.

The blast site was cordoned off by security forces, while police, the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), bomb disposal squads and forensic teams launched a detailed investigation. Evidence was being collected to determine the circumstances behind the attack and identify those involved.

As rescue operations continued, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti convened a high-level meeting in Quetta to review the security situation and assess the initial findings of the investigation.

Senior police officials and representatives of law-enforcement agencies attended the meeting. Balochistan Inspector General of Police Tahir Khan briefed participants on the preliminary investigation. The participants strongly condemned the attack and expressed condolences to the bereaved families.

Naqvi said the federal government stood with the people of Balochistan and would continue supporting all efforts aimed at restoring peace and bringing those responsible to justice. He described the targeting of innocent civilians as a brutal act and said the sacrifices of the victims would not be forgotten.

Chief Minister Bugti reaffirmed the provincial government’s commitment to combating terrorism and strengthening action against militant groups involved in violence. He said the government would continue supporting affected families and ensuring the best possible medical treatment for the injured.

Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Media and Political Affairs Shahid Rind later confirmed that the death toll had risen to 14. He said women and children were among the injured and security forces had sealed the entire area while evidence collection and investigations were under way.

“Anti-peace elements want to destabilize peace through sabotage activities, which will be foiled through the efforts of security forces and the public in the interest of Balochistan’s development,” he said.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also issued separate statements condemning the attack and expressing grief over the loss of innocent lives. The president said terrorist acts were aimed at harming Pakistan and undermining efforts for peace and progress. The prime minister said the country remained steadfast in its determination to eliminate terrorism in all its forms.

Meanwhile, the Central Police Office (CPO) Balochistan issued a fresh threat alert warning of possible terrorist attacks in various parts of Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P).

According to the communiqué, intelligence reports indicated that militants belonging to Fitna al-Khawarij were planning to plant improvised explosive devices on major highways, including the Quetta-Chaman Highway, Quetta-Pishin Road, Saranan and Mazai Adda.

It directed security agencies to tighten surveillance and enhance precautionary measures. (WITH INPUT FROM AFP)

HIGHLIGHT

The majority of those killed were civilians, including bystanders, passersby and residents