Quetta Commissioner Hamza Shafqaat has confirmed that the deadly explosion at Quetta railway station was a suicide attack.
Following the incident, he said they had instructed railway authorities to close the station temporarily and suspend all train operations, citing safety concerns. Officials report that additional security measures have been enforced at bus stations and other key locations in Quetta to prevent further incidents.
He further said the injured were under treatment at the Civil Hospital and CMH and advised citizens to be cautious to avoid another explosion.
He said security had been alerted in the city, and railway authorities asked to close the railway station. Hamza claimed common citizens and security forces were targeted in the blast. "Terrorists hit soft targets," the commissioner maintained.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) Saad bin Asad revealed that the terrorist gained access to the railway station via an open entry point. He noted that his office had issued an alert regarding a potential threat in Quetta prior to the attack.
Also Read: At least 24 killed, 57 injured in blast at Quetta railway station
"Railway Police is responsible for the security of the railway station. When the administration issues an alert, it has some purpose," he maintained, calling for an audit of the railway station security.
Railway Police inspector general (IG) highlighted that 18 police officers were on duty at the station when the explosion occurred and vowed to conduct a thorough review of the security lapses.
On Saturday morning, an explosion rocked Quetta’s railway station on Saturday morning, claiming at least 24 lives and injuring at least 57 others. The blast occurred just as passengers were preparing for departures. Officials predict that the death toll may rise.
Also Read: Initial report calls Quetta blast a suicide attack
Rescue and security teams swiftly responded to the incident and shifted the bodies and the injured to Quetta's Civil Hospital for medical attention. Some of the injured were also being treated at the trauma centre.
Emergency has been declared in the Civil Hospital and doctors and paramedical staff immediately called for duty.
Railway officials said that at the time of the blast, which occurred near the ticket booth, two trains were scheduled to depart, and a large number of passengers was present on the platform.
SSP (Operations) Muhammad Baloch told the media that at the time of the blast, a large number of passengers were present on the platform to depart in two trains. Jafar Express was about to leave for Peshawar, Baloch said, adding that the Crime Scene Unit reached the spot and the nature of the blast was being determined. He further suspected it to be a suicide blast.
