Quetta Train Bombing: What Happened
- At least 24 people were killed and more than 80 injured in a suicide bombing near Quetta railway station on May 24, 2026.
- The explosion targeted a shuttle linked to the Jaffar Express carrying security personnel ahead of Eid holidays.
- Authorities suspect a suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device containing over 70 kg of explosives was used.
- The blast derailed train bogies, triggered fires, and damaged station infrastructure and nearby vehicles.
- Security forces sealed the area while hospitals in Quetta declared an emergency for incoming casualties.
At least 24 people were killed and over 80 others injured after a powerful suicide bombing targeted a railway shuttle near Quetta Cantonment in Pakistan’s Balochistan province on Sunday morning, May 24, 2026.
The explosion occurred around 8:05 a.m. local time near the Quetta railway station as a shuttle associated with the Jaffar Express was preparing to depart. Officials said the train was carrying a large number of law enforcement and security personnel travelling home ahead of Eid holidays.
Suicide Blast Targeted Jaffar Express Shuttle
Preliminary investigations suggest the attack involved a suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) packed with more than 70 kilograms of explosives.
The blast took place close to the railway track near Chaman Phatak and struck the shuttle moments before departure. Multiple train bogies were reportedly derailed due to the intensity of the explosion, while at least two coaches caught fire shortly afterward.
Several vehicles parked near the station were also destroyed, and sections of the railway station infrastructure sustained heavy damage.
Casualties Included Security Personnel and Civilians
Officials confirmed that both security personnel and civilians were among the victims. Women and children present at the busy station during the morning hours were also affected by the blast.
Emergency services rushed injured passengers and bystanders to hospitals across Quetta, where a medical emergency was declared to manage the influx of casualties.
Suspicion Falls on Baloch Liberation Army
No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. However, suspicion has largely focused on the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist militant organisation active in Balochistan.
The group has previously carried out attacks targeting Pakistani security forces, railway infrastructure, and government installations across the province. Local media reports indicated that the bombing was being described as a “fidayeen” attack, a term commonly used for suicide missions.
Balochistan Continues to Face Security Challenges
Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province by area, has witnessed decades of insurgency linked to separatist movements demanding independence and greater control over the region’s natural resources.
The latest attack comes less than two years after a deadly bombing at Quetta railway station in November 2024 that killed at least 26 people. Security concerns in the province also intensified after the 2025 hijacking of the Jaffar Express by separatist militants.
Investigation and Security Operations Underway
Security forces have cordoned off the blast site as forensic teams and investigators continue to examine the scene. Authorities are attempting to determine how the attackers managed to breach the security perimeter near the cantonment area.
Senior Pakistani officials condemned the bombing, while rescue and recovery operations continued throughout the day in Quetta.