The blast on Pakistan train caused multiple coaches to derail and catch fire, with civilians, railway staff and security personnel among the reported casualties.
BY PC Bureau
May 24, 2026: At least 23 to 24 people were killed and around 47 others injured after a powerful explosion ripped through a passenger train near Chaman Phatak in Quetta, the capital of Pakistan’s restive Balochistan province, on Saturday.
The blast reportedly occurred near a railway track close to a Frontier Corps paramilitary installation, triggering panic and chaos as multiple coaches derailed and caught fire. Authorities said the train had reportedly halted to attach additional coaches, including compartments believed to be carrying military families, when the explosion took place.
Initial reports suggested the attack may have been carried out either by a suicide bomber or through an improvised explosive device (IED) planted near the tracks. Rescue teams, firefighters and security personnel rushed to the site as thick smoke engulfed the damaged coaches and nearby structures.
Hospital officials and local journalists said the death toll could rise further as several injured passengers remain in critical condition. Among the victims were reportedly civilians, including women and children, railway employees and security personnel.
The banned separatist outfit Baloch Liberation Army, particularly its Majeed Brigade faction, claimed responsibility for the attack. In a statement circulated online, the group claimed it had targeted “occupying forces,” referring to Pakistani military personnel allegedly travelling on the train.
Pakistani authorities strongly condemned the attack, describing it as an act of terrorism that indiscriminately targeted civilians.
Balochistan: Suicide Attack Near Train in Quetta Kills 25, Injures 47
QUETTA — At least 25 people were killed and approximately 47 others injured on Wednesday after a powerful explosion struck near a passenger train close to a paramilitary installation in Quetta, Balochistan.… pic.twitter.com/TMCEB5DmYy— Voice of Germany (@NewsVOG) May 24, 2026
Security forces cordoned off the area and launched a large-scale search operation, while Pakistan Railways temporarily suspended or disrupted services in parts of Balochistan for security inspections and investigations.
The latest attack comes amid a renewed surge in violence linked to the long-running Baloch insurgency. Separatist groups such as the BLA have intensified attacks on railway infrastructure, security forces and projects linked to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), demanding greater autonomy or independence for Balochistan.
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The province has witnessed several major railway-related attacks in recent years. In November 2024, a suicide bombing at Quetta Railway Station killed more than two dozen people, while in March 2025, BLA militants hijacked the Jaffar Express in a high-profile hostage crisis that left dozens dead.
Saturday’s explosion once again underscored the fragile security situation in Balochistan despite repeated counterinsurgency operations by Pakistani security forces.
Authorities said investigations are underway to determine the exact nature of the blast and identify those involved in planning the attack.
