A bomb blast aboard a passenger train in south-western Pakistan has killed at least 20 people and wounded more than 50, officials have confirmed. The attack, which occurred near the town of Sibi in Balochistan province, has been claimed by separatist militants. The device, believed to be a pressure-cooker bomb, was placed in a carriage packed with morning commuters.
The explosion tore through the metal carriage, causing significant structural damage and casualties. Provincial authorities have declared a state of emergency at local hospitals. The assault is the latest in a series of escalating attacks on civilian infrastructure in the restive province.
Balochistan, which shares porous borders with Afghanistan and Iran, has long been a focal point of low-level insurgency. Groups seeking greater autonomy and a larger share of the region's mineral wealth frequently target security forces and infrastructure. The attack comes days after a coordinated assault on a military airbase in the same province.
The Pakistan government, already under economic pressure, now faces renewed scrutiny over its ability to maintain law and order ahead of a national election. Analysts have warned that the deteriorating security situation could further weaken the country's fragile political and economic stability. The Chinese embassy in Islamabad has expressed concern given the proximity of the incident to China's multi-billion dollar Belt and Road infrastructure projects in the region.
