Watch: Bomb rips through Quetta Railway Station in Pakistan's Balochistan, killing over 20

More than 20 people have been killed and over 50 others injured after a powerful blast rocked a railway station in Pakistan's restive Balochistan province. The explosion, suspected to be a suicide bomb blast, occurred at Quetta Railway Station early Saturday morning on the platform as passengers gathered for the departure of a train to the city of Peshawar.

CREDIT: REUTERS

Blast targeted passengers on platform

“Around 100 people were present at the railway station when the blast occurred. So far, 24 people have been confirmed dead while over 50 are injured. The blast occurred on the platform as passengers gathered for the departure of Jaffar Express. The train was to depart from Quetta to Peshawar,” said Quetta Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Operations, Mohammad Baloch.

Balochistan Liberation Army claims responsibility? ?

A separatist group, the Balochistan Liberation Army, claimed the attack in a statement, saying a suicide bomber targeted troops present at the railway station.

"This morning, a Fidayee attack was carried out on a Pakistani army unit at Quetta Railway Station as they were returning via Jaffar Express after completing a course at the Infantry School. The attack was executed by the BLA’s Fidayee unit, Majeed Brigade," the BLA, which has been declared a terrorist organisation in Pakistan, said.

Videos show devastation at Quetta Railway Station?

Videos posted on social media showed the moment the blast ripped through the crowd.?

Other videos posted on social media also showed the aftermath of the blast.

Insurgency in Balochistan

Balochistan, which is Pakistan's largest province, has witnessed a long-running separatist insurgency by Baloch militant groups, who often target Pakistani military and civilian infrastructure there.

Recently, at least five children were among the nine people killed, along with 17 others injured, when a roadside bomb targeting a vehicle of security forces assigned to protect polio health workers exploded in Mastung district of Balochistan.

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