Following the tragic suicide blast at the Quetta railway station, the Balochistan government has announced three-day mourning from today.
The Services and General Administration Department has issued a formal notification, stating that the national flag will be flown at half-mast on all government and private buildings as a mark of respect for the victims.
On the other hand, the Pakistan Railways has suspended train services from Quetta to other parts of the country for four days.
Railway officials announced that the suspension would remain in effect until November 14. Railway authorities claim the decision to suspend the train service from Quetta has been taken in view of security concerns. Trains including the Jafar Express, Bolan Mail, Chaman Passenger, and those heading to Zahedan have all been halted, and would not be able to depart.
Also Read: At least 25 killed, 56 injured in blast at Quetta railway station
On Saturday morning, an explosion rocked Quetta’s railway station, claiming at least 25 lives and injuring at least 56 others. The blast occurred just as passengers were preparing for departures.
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. Emergency was declared in the Civil Hospital and doctors and paramedical staff immediately called for duty.
Also Read: BLA claims responsibility for deadly Quetta bomb blast
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.
Police surgeon Dr Ayesha said the death toll in the explosion had reached 25 and 56 injured were undergoing treatment in different hospitals. She said the victims included a woman and five railway employees. She further said 14 security forces personnel were also martyred in the blast.
The attack was later claimed by the banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA).
