Pakistan train blast: Baloch rebels target Army personnel, 6 coaches derailed

Quetta (The Uttam Hindu): The Jaffar Express train has once again been targeted in Pakistan's restive Balochistan province. A Baloch insurgent group attacked the Quetta-bound train with an improvised explosive device (IED) near the Sultankot area, causing a massive explosion. Six coaches of the train were derailed due to the blast, and several people were reportedly injured.

The Baloch insurgent group, the Baloch Republic Guards, has claimed responsibility for the attack. The group issued a statement saying the train was targeted because Pakistani army personnel were aboard. The statement claimed, "The train was attacked while Pakistani army personnel were aboard. Several Pakistani army personnel were killed and some injured in the blast." The insurgent group has threatened to continue such attacks in the future and stated that their struggle will continue until Balochistan's independence.

Pakistani security forces arrived at the scene and a rescue operation is underway. Several videos and photos from the scene have surfaced on social media, showing overturned carriages and the chaos. However, no official confirmation of casualties has yet been made.

It is worth noting that the Jaffar Express has been attacked several times before. In March this year, Baloch insurgents targeted the same train, and in another incident, a train carrying 400 passengers was taken hostage near the Bolan Pass, resulting in the deaths of several security personnel.