Quetta (Pakistan): A powerful explosion rocked Pakistan’s Balochistan province on Tuesday, targeting the Jaffar Express and derailing five coaches near Sultan Kot. Several passengers were injured in the blast, which triggered panic and forced a temporary suspension of railway operations in the area.
Initial reports suggest that the explosion was caused by an improvised explosive device (IED) planted on the railway tracks. Eyewitnesses said the blast was followed by gunfire, heightening fears among passengers. The train was traveling from Peshawar to Quetta when it came under attack near the Sindh-Balochistan border.
Rescue teams swiftly reached the site, providing first aid and shifting the injured to nearby hospitals. Security forces have sealed off the area and launched an investigation. The Baloch Republican Guards later claimed responsibility, alleging the target was Pakistani army personnel onboard the train.
This marks yet another assault on the Jaffar Express, which has faced repeated attacks in recent months. In August 2025, an IED explosion in Mastung district derailed six coaches, injuring several passengers. Earlier, in March 2025, the Baloch Liberation Army hijacked the train near Bolan Pass, leading to a deadly gunfight with security forces.
Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest yet least developed province, continues to grapple with a decades-long separatist insurgency. Rebel groups often strike security convoys, public infrastructure, and transport routes. The frequent attacks on Jaffar Express underscore the deepening instability and ongoing threat to civilian safety in the region.
