What Happened to the Jaffar Express in Balochistan?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- 12 people injured in Jaffar Express derailment.
- Blast occurred in Spizend area of Mastung.
- Train was carrying 270 passengers.
- Second explosion in 10 hours in the same area.
- Security forces responded quickly to assist the injured.
Quetta, Sep 24 (NationPress) A total of 12 individuals, including women and children, suffered injuries when the Jaffar Express passenger train, en route to Quetta, was struck by a bomb explosion in the Spizend region of Mastung in Pakistan's Balochistan, as reported by local media on Wednesday.
Following the blast, six bogies of the train, which was traveling from Peshawar to Quetta, derailed and one overturned, resulting in injuries among the passengers, according to railway officials. Pakistan's prominent daily, Dawn, provided this information.
This incident marked the second explosion in the vicinity within a span of 10 hours. Earlier, an explosion occurred near the main railway track linking Balochistan with the rest of Pakistan, coinciding with the Peshawar-bound Jaffar Express preparing for departure from Quetta Railway Station. Although the train was temporarily halted, it resumed its journey after receiving security clearance, as the track remained intact.
Law enforcement officials indicated that an explosive device planted on the railway track detonated as the train was passing through the Spizend area.
In the aftermath of the blast, security forces and police arrived promptly at the scene and transported the injured to nearby medical facilities. Railway officials reported that approximately 270 passengers were aboard the train during the explosion. They stated that repairs to the damaged section of the track would commence following security clearance on Wednesday, during which train services would be disrupted.
Earlier this year, the Jaffar Express traveling from Quetta to Peshawar was hijacked by the Baloch Liberation Army's (BLA) Majeed Brigade, taking over 400 individuals hostage.
The train was halted on March 11 after derailing in the Dhabar area of Bolan Pass in Balochistan. Security forces and railway authorities confirmed that the attack occurred near Tunnel No. 8 of the Bolan Pass. The standoff concluded after more than 24 hours, with the BLA claiming to have executed at least 20 of the abducted security personnel after verifying their identities.