Suicide bombing near railway track in Pakistan kills at least 23 people

A suicide bomber detonated an explosives-laden vehicle near a railway track as a passenger train passed through Quetta in south-western Pakistan. The blast killed at least 23 people and wounded more than 70 others. Two train cars overturned and caught fire, producing thick black smoke. The explosion damaged nearby buildings and destroyed more than a dozen vehicles parked along the road. Hospitals in Quetta received the wounded, with 20 reported in critical condition, and bodies were transported to hospitals. The outlawed Baloch Liberation Army claimed responsibility, saying it targeted a train carrying security personnel. Local officials condemned the attack, declared a medical emergency, and launched an investigation.

"A suicide bomber detonated an explosives-laden vehicle near a railway track as a passenger train travelled through the south-western Pakistani city of Quetta, killing at least 23 people and wounding more than 70 others, officials have said. The force of the explosion on Sunday caused two of the train cars to overturn and catch fire, sending thick black smoke into the air, according to footage shared online."

"The attack happened in an area where security forces are usually stationed, badly damaging several nearby buildings and smashing more than a dozen vehicles parked along the road, according to witnesses and images circulating on social media. Doctors at local hospitals said they had received the wounded, with 20 in critical condition. Three security officials told the Associated Press on condition of anonymity that the bodies had been transported to hospitals after the attack."

"The outlawed Baloch Liberation Army, or BLA, which demands independence from Pakistan's central government, has claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement sent to reporters. The militant group said it had targeted a train carrying security personnel. Quetta is the capital of insurgency-hit Balochistan province."

"Shahid Rind, a Balochistan provincial government spokesperson, said: We strongly condemn the targeting of innocent civilians and are deeply saddened by the loss of precious human lives. Terrorist elements deserve no leniency. He said after the explosion a medical emergency was declared at hospitals in Quetta and an investigation had been launched."

Read at www.theguardian.com