At least 24 people were killed in an attack at a train station in the Pakistani city of Quetta. A separatist group active in the troubled Balochistan province claimed responsibility for the atrocity.
An attack was carried out on the train station in the Pakistani city of Quetta. According to official information, at least 24 people were killed and 30 people were injured in the explosion on a train platform.
According to a senior police officer, the attack was intended to target soldiers from the infantry school who were to be transferred to the important garrison city of Rawalpindi. Accordingly, it was said to have been a suicide attack.
A separatist group claimed responsibility for the attack. The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) also spoke of a suicide bomber who carried out the attack at the train station.
Balochistan is considered a troubled province
Quetta is the capital of the southwestern province of Balochistan. The oil and mineral-rich region is the largest but also the least populated province in Pakistan. It borders Iran and Afghanistan. In addition to separatist groups, Islamists are also active in the province. In August, many people were killed and abducted in a series of attacks on police stations and attacks on public transport.
The BLA often targets security forces and foreigners, particularly Chinese nationals, who are in Pakistan as part of the multi-billion dollar Belt and Road Initiative. The initiative plans comprehensive infrastructure projects.
