Pakistan Balochistan Province Terror Attack (May 2026)

A terrorist attack targeting a railway line in Pakistan’s Balochistan province resulted in the deaths of many people after a train carrying military personnel was struck. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for the attack.

According to information reported by the Pakistani press and international media outlets, the attack occurred near Chaman Phatak Station in the city of Ketta. Police sources stated that a lone attacker rammed a vehicle loaded with explosives into the military train on the railway track. The explosion took place as the train was moving toward its military barracks area.

At least 23 people were killed and more than 70 injured in the explosion. Several train carriages derailed, some overturned, and fires broke out as a result of the blast. Numerous homes and vehicles near the railway line were also damaged. Following the incident, gunshots were heard in the area and emergency alerts were declared at state hospitals in Ketta.

The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for the attack. Pakistani officials described the incident as a suicide attack. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack, stating that terrorist acts cannot weaken the resolve of the Pakistani people.

The targeted train was carrying military personnel along with their families. Authorities reported that passengers were traveling from Ketta to Peshawar for Eid al-Adha and planned to continue to their home cities. The Jaffar Express train, which operates between Peshawar and other destinations, was halted at Ketta Railway Station for security reasons.

Balochistan is Pakistan’s largest province by area and holds strategic importance due to its oil, natural gas, and mineral resources. The province borders Iran and Afghanistan and includes the Gwadar Port, developed under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Separatist groups in the region accuse the central government of exploiting the province’s natural resources without providing adequate benefits to the local population.

In recent years, the Baloch Liberation Army has carried out numerous bombings, armed attacks, and train assaults in the region. In March 2025, a major attack on the Jaffar Express train resulted in the hostage-taking of multiple passengers. Intense clashes between Pakistani security forces and separatist groups were reported across Balochistan throughout 2026.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye expressed deep sorrow over the loss of life in the terrorist attack targeting a passenger train in Pakistan’s Balochistan province and condemned the attack in the strongest terms.

In its written statement, the Ministry extended condolences to those who lost their lives in the terrorist attack targeting a passenger train in Balochistan. The statement read: “We strongly condemn this heinous attack, pray to Allah for mercy for the victims, and offer our condolences to their families and the people of Pakistan.”