Jaffar Express blast in Balochistan kills 24, injures 82 on Eid
Synopsis
A suicide car bomb packed with over 70 kg of explosives tore through a Jaffar Express shuttle near Quetta on Sunday morning, killing at least 24 people — many of them law enforcement personnel heading home for Eid. The attack is the second major strike on the Jaffar Express in 2025, signalling that Balochistan's militant threat has not been contained despite Section 144 and heightened security alerts.
Key Takeaways
At least 24 people killed and 82 injured in a blast targeting a Jaffar Express shuttle in Balochistan on Sunday, 25 May 2025 .
Explosion occurred at approximately 8:05 am local time after the shuttle departed Quetta Cantonment .
Preliminary probe points to a suicide VBIED loaded with more than 70 kg of explosives .
Two bogies caught fire ; multiple coaches derailed; nearby buildings and vehicles also damaged.
57 injured sent to a military hospital; 25 to Civil Hospital, Quetta .
Balochistan had imposed Section 144 days earlier citing terror threats; all agencies placed on high alert .
At least 24 people were killed and 82 others injured on Sunday, 25 May 2025, when a powerful explosion targeted a shuttle of the Jaffar Express train in Pakistan's Balochistan province, police sources said. The attack, which struck around 8:05 am local time near Quetta, is among the deadliest strikes on a passenger train service in the restive southwestern province in recent years.
How the Attack Unfolded
The shuttle had departed from Quetta Cantonment carrying law enforcement personnel heading home for Eid holidays when the blast occurred. Preliminary investigations suggest the attack was carried out using a suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (SVBIED) packed with more than 70 kg of explosives, according to sources who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Multiple bogies derailed following the explosion, and two coaches caught fire. The blast also damaged nearby buildings, shattering windows and glass panes, and caused collateral damage to vehicles in the vicinity. Women and children were among the dead and injured, sources confirmed.
Casualties and Medical Response
Of the 82 injured, 57 were transferred to a military hospital and 25 to the Civil Hospital in Quetta. Rescue operations commenced swiftly, with law enforcement teams securing the blast perimeter. Authorities urged residents to avoid the area while emergency operations remained ongoing.
Government and Security Response
Balochistan's Special Assistant for Home Affairs Babar Yousafzai stated that officials are actively gathering information and promised further details as they become available, according to local media reports. All relevant security agencies have been placed on high alert following the explosion.
Notably, Section 144 — restricting public gatherings, banning double riding on motorcycles, and prohibiting display of weapons — had been imposed across Balochistan just days earlier as a precautionary measure against potential terrorist threats. The restrictions, issued by the Home Department, are in force for 30 days.
Pattern of Violence in Balochistan
This comes amid a sustained pattern of militant attacks targeting security forces and civilian infrastructure in Balochistan, a province that has witnessed decades of insurgency. The Jaffar Express itself was previously targeted in a high-profile attack in March 2025, when militants briefly seized the train and held passengers hostage. Sunday's bombing underscores that security conditions along the route remain acutely dangerous despite heightened vigilance.
Investigations are ongoing, and Pakistani authorities have not yet issued a formal claim attribution. The full death toll may rise as rescue operations continue.
Point of View
Suggesting that targeting this specific route has become a deliberate militant strategy. The imposition of Section 144 days before the blast raises uncomfortable questions: if threat intelligence was specific enough to warrant province-wide restrictions, why were troop-carrying shuttles still operating without apparent countermeasures? Pakistan's security establishment faces a credibility problem in Balochistan that pre-emptive curfews alone cannot solve.
NationPress
9 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Jaffar Express blast in Balochistan?
A shuttle of the Jaffar Express was targeted by a suicide vehicle-borne explosive device near Quetta on Sunday, 25 May 2025, killing at least 24 people and injuring 82 others. The shuttle was carrying law enforcement personnel returning home for Eid holidays when the blast struck at around 8:05 am local time.
How powerful was the Jaffar Express bomb?
Preliminary investigations indicate the attack used a suicide VBIED packed with more than 70 kg of explosives, according to sources cited in reports. The blast derailed multiple bogies, set two coaches on fire, and shattered windows in nearby buildings.
Who was on the Jaffar Express shuttle that was attacked?
The shuttle was primarily carrying law enforcement personnel heading home for Eid holidays after departing Quetta Cantonment. Women and children were also among the dead and injured, according to sources.
What security measures were in place in Balochistan before the attack?
Section 144 had been imposed across Balochistan just days before the blast, banning gatherings of five or more people, double riding on motorcycles, and display of weapons for 30 days. Despite this, the attack occurred, and all relevant agencies have since been placed on high alert.
Has the Jaffar Express been attacked before?
Yes. The Jaffar Express was previously targeted in March 2025, when militants seized the train and held passengers hostage in a prolonged standoff. Sunday's bombing marks the second major attack on the same service within 2025.
