Several feared killed in Quetta shuttle train blast

“QUETTA: Several people are feared dead after a blast tore through a shuttle train near Chaman Phatak in Quetta on Sunday morning. State-run APP , citing railway authorities, said the shuttle train was heading from Quetta Cantonment to the railway station when it was targeted near Chaman Phatak shortly after 8am. The nature of the explosion could not be immediately ascertained. Confirming the blast, Pakistan Railways said rescue trucks and a relief train were dispatched to the site to assist in emergency operations. The explosion derailed three coaches, including the locomotive, while two coaches overturned, APP reported. Security forces immediately cordoned off the area and launched a rescue operation, it added. Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi condemned the attack as a cowardly act of terrorism, adding that it would not weaken the nation’s resolve against militancy. In a statement, Abbasi said that “anti-Pakistan elements operating from India and Afghanistan were sponsoring terrorism to destabilise the country”. The minister directed the authorities concerned to submit an immediate report on the incident. He further reaffirmed that Pakistan Railways’ operational activities would continue without interruption despite the attack. Abbasi said hostile forces were involved in malicious activities aimed at spreading unrest and fear in Pakistan. Slamming terrorists as “enemies of humanity”, the minister asserted they would be “brought to a disgraceful end”. “Terrorist networks operating from India and Afghanistan would never be allowed to succeed in their nefarious designs against Pakistan,” Abbasi said. This is a developing story that is being updated as the situation evolves. Initial reports in the media can sometimes be inaccurate. We will strive to ensure timeliness and accuracy by relying on credible sources, such as concerned, qualified authorities and our staff reporters.

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