26 killed, 62 wounded in alleged suicide blast at Quetta railway station

Quetta: An alleged suicide blast on the platform of the railway station in Quetta left 26 people killed and 62 others wounded on Saturday.

Quetta Division Commissioner Hamza Shafqaat said that the blast was a “suicide attack” primarily on law enforcement agencies, while civilians were also targeted.

It is also reported that the injured are being shifted to the hospital. Police say that police officials and rescue teams have been dispatched to the blast site.

According to the railway authorities, Jafar Express was supposed to leave for Peshawar at 9am and had not yet reached the platform. The explosion happened near the ticket house at the railway station.

On the other hand, according to Dr Noorullah of Civil Hospital Quetta, an emergency has been implemented in the hospital, and additional doctors and staff have been called for medical assistance.

According to the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), the explosion appears to be accidental, further investigation is underway.

On the other hand, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti ordered to contact the top administrative authorities and investigate the incident.

The Chief Minister of Balochistan said that elements involved in several incidents of terrorism have been caught, and action against terrorists is ongoing in the province.

Sarfaraz Bugti stated that terrorists will be eradicated from Balochistan.

Acting President, PM strongly condemn blast

Acting President Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday strongly condemned a blast near Quetta Railway Station.

The acting president and prime minister prayed for the eternal peace of the departed souls and for the bereaved families to bear the losses with fortitude.

The acting president expressed his deep grief over the loss of precious lives, President Secretariat Press Wing said in a press release.
He said that terrorists were the enemies of humanity who targeted innocent people and reiterated the resolve to take all possible measures to efface terrorism.

The prime minister reiterated that terrorists inflicting harm on the lives and properties of innocent people would have to pay the heavy price, PM Office Media Wing said in a press release.

The government and security forces were fully active in eliminating terrorism, he added. The prime minister sought an inquiry report from the Balochistan government over the incident.

The acting president and the prime minister also directed for provision of treatment to the injured on a property basis.