On 24th May, a major bomb blast hit a shuttle train carrying Pakistani military personnel in Pakistan’s southwestern province of Balochistan. killing at least 24 people and injuring more than 100 others. Rescue teams and local residents rushed to the site soon after the explosion, while security forces sealed the area and launched an investigation.
The attack took place near Chaman Phatak in Quetta shortly after the train had left the Quetta military cantonment and picked up passengers. Reports said the train had travelled only a short distance when a vehicle loaded with explosives rammed into one of its coaches near a railway crossing, causing a massive explosion.
وفاقی وزیر ریلوے کی کوئٹہ میں ہونے والے دھماکے کی شدید مذمت
— Pakistan Railways (@PakrailPK) May 24, 2026
واقعہ بزدلانہ دہشت گردی، ایسے حملے قومی عزم کو کمزور نہیں کر سکتے
کوئٹہ کینٹ سے آنے والی شٹل ٹرین چمن پھاٹک کے قریب دھماکے کی زد میں آئی
امدادی کارروائیوں کے لیے ریسکیو ٹرک اور ریلیف ٹرین جائے وقوعہ پر روانہ
Soldiers and families were travelling for Eid holidays
According to reports, many Pakistani army personnel and their family members were on board the train and were travelling to Peshawar to celebrate the Eid holiday, which is set to begin on Tuesday, 26th May. The train was reportedly carrying more than 300 military personnel at the time of the attack.
The blast badly damaged one of the train’s bogies, while the force of the explosion caused coaches to derail. At least two coaches overturned and caught fire. Visuals from the area showed one coach completely destroyed, with thick black smoke rising from the site.
Nearby areas also damaged in explosion
The impact of the blast was not limited to the train. Several nearby houses and vehicles also suffered damage due to the explosion on the railway track. Videos shared by local YouTubers showed heavy destruction around the area.
Victims were shifted to Civil Hospital Quetta, FC Hospital and Combined Military Hospital (CMH) for treatment. Rescue teams continued operations as authorities said more passengers were still being recovered from the wreckage, raising fears that the death toll could increase.
BLA claims responsibility for the attack
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attack through its Majeed Brigade unit, describing it as a “Fidayeen attack” and saying the target was Pakistani military personnel travelling on the train.
In its statement, the group said the operation targeted a train transporting personnel of the Pakistani forces from Quetta Cantonment and added that further details regarding the operation and casualties would be shared later.
The BLA also indicated that the explosion was carried out as a suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (SVB-IED) attack.
