**Tragic Blast in Quetta Shocks Balochistan**
Quetta, Pakistan, November 9, 2024. REUTERS/Naseer Ahmed. Purchase Licensing Rights
In a shocking incident on Saturday, a devastating explosion ripped through a bustling railway station in Quetta, the vibrant hub of southwestern Pakistan, leaving the community reeling. Reports from local authorities indicate that at least 24 individuals lost their lives, while over 40 more are grappling with injuries, some critically. This act of violence has cast a long shadow over the area, further heightening existing tensions in the region.
Quetta, the dynamic capital of the Balochistan province, is no stranger to adversity. The province is currently contending with an influx of attacks orchestrated by ethnic nationalist factions. These groups are fervently challenging government forces, which complicates efforts to tap into the area’s substantial mineral reserves.
Mouzzam Jah Ansari, the Inspector General of Balochistan Police, shed light on the incident, noting, “Twenty-four souls have been claimed by the violent blast at the train station, which is typically teeming with commuters in the morning.” This tragic episode unfolded at a time when the railway station is buzzing with activity, amplifying the horror of the attack. “Army personnel from the Infantry School were the target,” Ansari added, revealing that many survivors are critically injured. Quetta Commissioner Hamza Shafqat confirmed that among the deceased were 16 soldiers.
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), known for its contentious separatist agenda, openly took responsibility for the attack via a statement sent to Reuters. The BLA envisions an independent Balochistan, a contested province with about 15 million inhabitants that shares a border with Afghanistan and Iran. As the largest group among multiple insurgent organizations waging battle against the central government, the BLA argues that they are exploited and that their wealth in natural gas and minerals is mismanaged.
Wasim Baig, a spokesperson for the civil hospital, confirmed, “So far, 44 injured individuals have been admitted for urgent medical care.” Meanwhile, Muhammad Baloch, the Senior Superintendent of Police Operations, described the event as seemingly a suicide attack, with investigations ongoing to unearth new details.
According to Baloch, “The explosion rocked the station just as the Peshawar-bound express was preparing to depart.” This event has placed a renewed spotlight on the region’s ongoing security challenges.
Only a few months ago in August, the region bore witness to tragic violence that took the lives of at least 73 people when separatist groups attacked key infrastructures such as police stations, railway tracks, and major highways.
These assaults represented a large-scale, coordinated effort by militants engaged in a persistent insurgency spanning decades. Their ultimate aim remains political independence for Balochistan, a province pivotal due to large-scale Chinese investments, including significant projects like a strategic port and lucrative gold and copper mining operations.
Local correspondents Saleem Ahmed from Quetta and Ariba Shahid from Karachi collaborated on the coverage of this tragic incident, with editorial support by William Mallard, Tom Hogue, and Helen Popper.
This region’s recurring struggles reveal a broader political and economic challenge, an interplay between local aspirations and international ambitions, with the local populace often caught in the crosshairs.
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
