At least 14 people were killed when a bomb detonated near a moving passenger train in Balochistan on the morning of May 24, derailing the locomotive and several coaches. Eyewitnesses reported a vehicle loaded with explosives struck the train before the blast. The Baloch Liberation Army has claimed responsibility, while authorities say the investigation is ongoing. Many passengers — including military personnel — were believed to be traveling for the upcoming Eid al-Adha holiday.
At Least 14 Killed as Bombing Derailed Passenger Train in Balochistan
Train derailment in Pakistan on Sunday, May 24Credit: Banaras KHAN / AFP via Getty
At least 14 people were killed when an explosive device detonated near a moving passenger train in Pakistan's Balochistan province on Sunday morning, May 24. The blast occurred at about 8 a.m. local time near the Afghanistan border and caused extensive damage to the train and surrounding area.
What happened: Officials say the explosion was powerful enough to derail the locomotive and multiple coaches. Reuters reported the blast derailed the engine and three coaches and fully overturned two additional coaches, scattering wreckage along the tracks. Eyewitnesses told reporters they saw a vehicle laden with explosives collide with the moving train at the moment of the explosion, according to the BBC.
Train derailment in Pakistan on May 24, 2026Credit: Banaras KHAN / AFP via Getty
Passengers and context: The train was carrying dozens of passengers, including military personnel from a nearby base. Many travelers were believed to be heading home to spend the upcoming Eid al-Adha holiday with their families.
Responsibility and investigation: The separatist group Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for the attack, though local authorities have not officially confirmed the claim. A provincial government official said the blast may have been carried out by a suicide bomber, and investigators are continuing to examine the scene to determine exactly how the attack was executed.
Train derailment in Pakistan on May 24, 2026Credit: Banaras KHAN / AFP via Getty
Official reaction: Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the "heinous bomb explosion" on X, expressing condolences to the victims' families and solidarity with the people of Balochistan. In his statement he vowed that such acts "cannot weaken the resolve of the people of Pakistan" and stressed efforts to eliminate terrorism in all its forms.
"Such cowardly acts of terrorism cannot weaken the resolve of the people of Pakistan. We remain steadfast in our determination to eliminate terrorism in all its forms and manifestations," Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif wrote on X. "I express my heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and pray for the swift recovery of the injured."
Scene and aftermath: Photos and video from the site showed charred vehicles, twisted metal and debris strewn alongside the railway. Local police and Pakistan Railways authorities had not immediately provided public comment when contacted by some outlets. Emergency crews were working at the scene and hospitals reported receiving multiple injured passengers.
Authorities say inquiries are ongoing and the death toll or injury figures may be updated as investigators continue their work.
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