A suicide bomber detonated an explosives-laden vehicle near a passenger train passing near Chaman Phatak station in Quetta, southwestern Pakistan, on May 24, 2026 [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10].

The attack targeted a train carrying military personnel and their families returning home for Eid, officials said [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10]. At least 20 to more than 30 people died, with injuries reported to be between 50 and 82, according to varying sources [1, 2, 3, 11, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10]. The blast caused the engine and multiple coaches to derail; two coaches overturned and some caught fire [1, 5, 6, 10].

Explosions severely damaged nearby buildings and vehicles, and thick smoke rose from the wreckage [1, 5, 6, 10]. Medical emergencies were declared at Quetta hospitals, where dozens of injured people, some in critical condition, received treatment [1, 5, 8, 10].

The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist militant group demanding independence from Pakistan’s central government, claimed responsibility for the attack, confirming it as a suicide bombing [1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10]. The BLA accuses the government of exploiting Balochistan’s mineral resources without benefiting local communities [1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7].

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the bombing as "a cowardly act of terrorism" and said "such cowardly acts of terrorism cannot weaken the resolve of the people of Pakistan" [1, 5]. Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti said the militants targeted innocent civilians, including women and children, and vowed to hunt them down [5]. Government spokesperson Shahid Rind called the attack a strong violation and said, "Terrorist elements deserve no leniency" [5].

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres also condemned the attack, saying, "All forms and manifestations of terrorism are unacceptable. Perpetrators must be identified and brought to justice" [8].

In recent months, security forces have intensified operations against the BLA. After coordinated attacks by the group in early 2026 that killed nearly 50 people, Pakistani forces reportedly killed 145 militants [6]. In March 2025, BLA militants hijacked the Jaffar Express train carrying army soldiers in Balochistan, resulting in multiple deaths [6].

The government and security agencies are investigating the incident, and heightened security measures have been announced in the region. Hospitals and emergency responders continue treating the wounded and assessing the full impact.