Pakistan Suspends Rail Services In Balochistan After Militants Derail Train In IED Blast
Sunday's bombing comes just months after BLA fighters hijacked a train in the same district, killing 21 hostages before security forces intervened
Pakistan on Monday suspended all train services to and from the southwestern province of Balochistan for four days after separatist militants blew up a section of railway track, causing a passenger train to derail.
The incident took place on Sunday near Spezand Railway Station, around 25 kilometres from Quetta, the provincial capital.
According to railway authorities, the Jaffer Express was travelling from Quetta to Peshawar when a bomb exploded under the track, derailing six of its carriages. The train had around 350 passengers on board. No one was injured in the attack.
Railways spokesperson Ikram Ullah said engineers are currently working to repair the damaged section of the track.
Ullah confirmed that the suspension of services is a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of passengers and staff.
The banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the bombing. In a statement, the group said it had deliberately targeted the train.
The BLA has been involved in numerous attacks in the region and has long demanded independence for Balochistan, accusing the central government of exploiting the province's natural resources.
Sunday's bombing comes just months after BLA fighters hijacked a train in the same district, killing 21 hostages before security forces intervened, killing 33 militants.
The latest attack has raised fresh concerns over security in the lead-up to Pakistan's 78th Independence Day on 14 August.
Meanwhile, in a separate development, authorities imposed curfews in parts of Bajaur district in the country's northwest, near the Afghan border. Local official Shahid Khan said the measure was taken to prepare for a possible security operation against the Pakistani Taliban, also known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
The TTP, although separate, maintains close ties with the Afghan Taliban and has recently become active in the region again.
Balochistan and Bajaur remain two of the most troubled areas in Pakistan, frequently targeted by insurgents and militants.
(With inputs from AP)
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