QUETTA, Pakistan: At least six passengers were killed and 21 others including a woman suffered injuries when two planted bombs ripped through bogie-No. 3 and 5 of Rawalpindi-bound train Jaffar Express between Mach and Aab-e-Gum area of Balochistan’s Kachhi Bolan district on Friday.
Divisional Superintendent, Pakistan Railways, Quetta division, Hanif Gul said that unidentified men planted two bombs at railway track in an area, some seven kilometers off Mach Railway Station when the train was on its way.
The police, hospital sources and senior officials of Pakistan Railways confirmed death of six passengers and injuring of 21 others in the twin blasts. “Six bodies were placed at hospital and 21 injured passengers were brought to Quetta from the scene,” they said.
“Jaffar Express left Quetta Railway Station at around 9 a.m. for Rawalpindi and after few minutes stay at Mach Railway Station, it was on moving to Sibi when the train was targeted by terrorists in an area between Mach and Aab-e-Gum, some seven kilometers off Mach town,” an official said.
The locomotive of the train was also partially damaged. The bogie No. 3 and 5 were badly damaged as twin bombs ripped through them.
The rescue teams including Army Aviation helicopter rushed to the scene and 10 injured were brought to Combined Military Hospital Quetta by Army helicopter and 11 others were also shifted to Quetta by road. According to doctors, condition of some injured was critical.
According to bomb disposal squad, five kilograms explosives were used in the blasts which had nature of Improvised Explosive Device (IED).
The law enforcement agencies have cordoned off the entire area to trace the suspects.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif strongly condemned the incident of bomb blasts that hit Jaffar Express in Balochistan’s Mach District and expressed deep grief over the loss of precious lives.
The prime minister directed the authorities concerned to bring the culprits to task immediately. He stressed providing best medical treatment to those injured during the attack.
Nawaz Sharif prayed for eternal peace of the departed souls and grant of courage to the bereaved families to bear this irreparable loss.
Source: APP/DND
