Jaffar Express narrowly escapes blast in Quetta

Published January 23, 2015
Passengers stand outside a train in Balochistan. — INP/file
Passengers stand outside a train in Balochistan. — INP/file

QUETTA: A passenger train sustained minor damages in a bomb blast in Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province on Friday morning.

Levies sources told Dawn that militants had planted a bomb close to the railway track in the 13 Mile area of Quetta. "When the passenger train approached the spot, there was a huge blast," the sources said.

The blast slightly damaged the fuel tank of the Rawalpindi-bound Jaffar Express. However, there was no loss of life reported in the incident.

Personnel from law enforcement agencies, emergency teams and technical staff rushed to the blast site and security men cordoned off the area as a probe into the incident went underway.

Train services between Balochistan and other parts of the country were suspended while technical staff began repairing the damages.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blast. However, Levies sources suspect the blast was carried out by Baloch insurgents.

Militants have been targeting vital national installations and security forces for more than a decade in the province.

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.