A bomb blast in the city of Quetta, the capital of Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province, on Sunday killed at least 20 people and injured more than 50. The explosion occurred as a train was moving through the city, causing several carriages to overturn and catch fire.
The separatist Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for the attack. According to Al Jazeera correspondent Kamal Hyder, the bomb was planted in a nearby parking lot, and the blast also caused severe damage to many homes and buildings along the railway tracks.
Local media reported that a state of emergency was declared at public hospitals in Quetta, with doctors and medical staff ordered to remain on duty throughout. Videos posted online showed charred cars and overturned train carriages.
According to Mr. Hyder, Pakistan has faced a series of attacks from separatist groups in recent months, which have become increasingly fierce. The attacks have also targeted Chinese workers in protest of Beijing's infrastructure projects in Balochistan, particularly the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor linking China's Xinjiang region to Pakistan's Gwadar port.
