A train with soldiers was blown up in Pakistan – media reports 24 dead

      In the Pakistani city of Quetta, at least 24 people were killed and another 82 were injured as a result of an explosion on the railway tracks. This was reported by the Xinhua agency, citing sources in law enforcement. The explosion occurred in the Chaman Phatak area at around 8:05 local time. At that moment, the Jaffar Express train was passing through the tracks. According to the agency, military personnel were on board, heading to celebrate the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr. Many women and children were also among the injured. They are being urgently hospitalized at Quetta Hospital. After the explosion, several carriages derailed, and two of them caught fire. According to the Associated Press of Pakistan, the shockwave from the explosion also severely damaged civilian vehicles and windows of buildings near the scene. Rescuers and medics are currently working at the site. The area is completely cordoned off by security forces, and law enforcement has already begun an investigation into the terrorist act. Due to the incident, a state of emergency has been declared in local hospitals. Recall that in March of last year, armed militants in the southwestern province of Balochistan, Pakistan, captured about 450 passengers. The responsibility for the attack was claimed by the Balochistan Liberation Army. Later, Pakistan's security forces freed at least 155 of the 450 passengers taken hostage on the train, and about 27 separatists were eliminated.