Suicide bomber kills at least 23 in attack on Pakistan train

At least 23 people were killed and about 70 others wounded in a suicide car bombing that struck a passenger train near Quetta on Sunday morning.

The blast occurred when an explosives-laden vehicle detonated near a railway line as the train passed, overturning two cars and setting them on fire. The attack took place in the capital of southwestern Balochistan province, a region that has seen a long-running insurgency by separatist and militant groups.

The Balochistan Liberation Army claimed responsibility, saying it had targeted a train carrying security personnel. The Times of India reported that the train was carrying army personnel and their families traveling from Quetta to Peshawar for the Eid holidays.

The explosion overturned two train cars, which caught fire and sent thick black smoke into the sky. Nearby buildings and more than a dozen parked vehicles were also damaged. About 20 of the wounded were reported in critical condition.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack as a "cowardly act of terrorism" and said those responsible would be brought to justice. He expressed condolences to the victims' families and said the nation stood with the people of Balochistan.

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti blamed the attack on Indian-sponsored proxies and said authorities would hunt down the attackers and their facilitators. The Balochistan Liberation Army has carried out several large-scale suicide operations against Pakistani security forces and infrastructure in recent years.