Train explosion by IED causes derailment of Jaffar Express coaches in vicinity of Quetta
On Sunday, an improvised explosive device (IED) blast occurred near Spezand Station in Quetta, resulting in the derailment of five to six coaches of the 39-Up Jaffar Express train, which was en route from Quetta to Peshawar.
The train was carrying approximately 350-440 passengers, but there were no fatalities reported. Four passengers sustained minor injuries, and all others remained safe.
Railway and security teams quickly reached the site, cordoned off the area, and initiated rescue operations. A relief train was dispatched to transport stranded passengers back to Quetta.
The railway administration has decided to suspend services of Jaffar Express and Bolan Mail until August 14, with plans to resume after security clearance and restoration of damaged coaches. Currently, some bogies have been placed back on the track while efforts continue to clear the rest.
Federal Railways Minister Muhammad Hanif Abbasi condemned the terrorist attack, emphasizing that such acts would not weaken national resolve against terrorism. No group has claimed responsibility for this latest attack yet, but ethnic Baloch separatist groups are believed to be involved.
The Jaffar Express has been repeatedly targeted by militant attacks, including a deadly hijacking in March that killed 21 passengers and 4 security personnel.
The authorities are working diligently to ensure the safety of passengers and to restore train services as soon as possible. The relief train will bring passengers back to Quetta, and the railway administration is making arrangements to repair the damaged coaches.
In summary, the derailment caused by the IED blast near Spezand Station has been contained with no loss of life, rescue operations have safely evacuated passengers, and train services are temporarily suspended pending security clearance and track restoration. The authorities are working to bring passengers back to Quetta and to restore train services as soon as possible.
- The latest war-and-conflicts escalation in Quetta, involving an improvised explosive device (IED) blast near Spezand Station, has led to the temporary suspension of train services on the Jaffar Express and Bolan Mail until August 14, as authorities work diligently to ensure safety and restore services.
- In the aftermath of the IED blast that derailed the Jaffar Express train and caused minor injuries to four passengers, political discussions are expected to focus on crime-and-justice issues, as ethnic Baloch separatist groups continue to be involved in such attacks, with the Federal Railways Minister condemning the incident.
