Quetta police officials have confirmed that the recent explosion at the city’s railway station was a suicide attack.
According to the police report, the attacker had strapped an estimated seven to eight kilograms of explosive material to his body, detonating it on reaching among passengers gathered at the station.
The report further stated that the body parts of the suspected suicide bomber have been collected and will be sent to the forensic science laboratory for testing. Officials are seeking assistance from the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) to help identify the attacker through biometric analysis.
Earlier in the day, Quetta Commissioner Hamza Shafqaat had claimed that the deadly explosion at Quetta railway station was a suicide attack.
Also Read: At least 24 killed, 57 injured in blast at Quetta railway station
Following the incident, he said he had instructed railway authorities to close the station temporarily and suspend all train operations, citing safety concerns. Officials report that additional security measures have been enforced at bus stations and other key locations in Quetta to prevent further incidents.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) Saad bin Asad revealed that the terrorist gained access to the railway station via an open entry point. He noted that his office had issued an alert regarding a potential threat in Quetta prior to the attack.
"Railway Police is responsible for the security of the railway station. When the administration issues an alert, it has some purpose," he maintained, calling for an audit of the railway station security.
Also Read: Initial report calls Quetta blast a suicide attack
Railway Police inspector general (IG) highlighted that 18 police officers were on duty at the station when the explosion occurred and vowed to conduct a thorough review of the security lapses.
On Saturday morning, an explosion rocked Quetta’s railway station on Saturday morning, claiming at least 24 lives and injuring at least 57 others. The blast occurred just as passengers were preparing for departures. Officials predict that the death toll may rise.
Rescue and security teams swiftly responded to the incident and shifted the bodies and the injured to Quetta's Civil Hospital for medical attention. Some of the injured were also being treated at the trauma centre.
Railway officials said that at the time of the blast, which occurred near the ticket booth, two trains were scheduled to depart, and a large number of passengers was present on the platform.
