ISLAMABAD: Governments and diplomatic missions across the world on Sunday strongly condemned the deadly terrorist attack targeting a passenger train near Chaman Phatak in southwestern Quetta, as Pakistan’s leadership vowed strong action against terrorists and their facilitators following one of the deadliest attacks in Balochistan in recent months.
The suicide bombing near the railway track martyred more than 20 people and injured dozens of others after an explosives-laden vehicle detonated as a passenger train passed through the area. Pakistani authorities said innocent civilians, including women and children, were among the victims.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the bombing as a “heinous” and “cowardly act of terrorism,” saying such attacks could not weaken the resolve of the Pakistani people.
“We remain steadfast in our determination to eliminate terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,” the prime minister said, expressing condolences to the families of victims and solidarity with the people of Balochistan.
President Asif Ali Zardari said terrorists and their patrons were attempting to undermine Pakistan’s efforts for peace, stability, and development.
“Pakistan will defeat terrorists, their facilitators, financiers and those providing them safe havens,” he said, adding that the country would “neither forget nor forgive the terrorists and their patrons.”
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti, during a high-level security meeting in Quetta, said all possible measures would continue to eliminate the menace of terrorism.
Naqvi said the “beastly terrorists” had shown “extreme brutality” by targeting innocent civilians, while Bugti vowed that terrorists linked to “Fitna al-Hindustan” would be brought to their “logical end.”
Fitna al-Hindustan refers to the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and affiliated terrorist groups. These networks operate with Indian sponsorship to destabilize Balochistan and undermine Pakistan’s peace, security and development.
Authorities say these groups are not political actors but foreign-backed terrorist organizations involved in attacks on civilians, security forces, and public infrastructure, including projects linked to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The international community also responded with strong condemnations and messages of solidarity with Pakistan.
The United States Embassy in Islamabad condemned the attack “in the strongest terms,” noting that the banned BLA, designated by Washington as a “Foreign Terrorist Organization”, had claimed responsibility. “The people of Pakistan deserve to live in security and peace, free from the threat of terrorist violence,” the embassy said.
UK High Commissioner Jane Marriott said she was “absolutely appalled” by the “cowardly terrorist attack” in Quetta and expressed condolences to the families of the victims.
The Chinese Embassy in Pakistan said Beijing “firmly opposes any form of terrorism” and would continue supporting Pakistan in combating terrorism and protecting public safety. “We stand firmly with our Pakistani brothers and sisters at this moment,” the embassy said in a statement.
The Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan condemned the “heinous terrorist attack” and reaffirmed solidarity with Pakistan. It said that such acts “must be unequivocally rejected in all their forms and manifestations.”
The Russian Embassy in Pakistan expressed hope that those responsible for the attack would be identified and brought to justice, while Türkiye’s Foreign Ministry called the attack “utterly unacceptable” and reiterated Ankara’s solidarity with Pakistan in the fight against terrorism.
Australian High Commissioner Timothy Kane said Australia stood with the people of Pakistan during the difficult time, extending condolences to the victims’ families and wishing a quick recovery to the injured.
Iran’s Ambassador to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moghadam strongly condemned the “cowardly and heinous suicide terrorist act.” He called attacks on civilian transportation infrastructure “crimes against humanity.”
From Bangladesh, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman also condemned the attack. He said Bangladesh stood in solidarity with Pakistan and “vehemently condemns terrorism and violence in all forms.”
Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry additionally condemned the attack in Quetta, stating that civilian casualties “in any form and by any side” were condemnable.
Pakistani authorities said investigations and security operations were continuing following the attack, which also caused extensive damage to railway infrastructure, nearby buildings, and vehicles.
Officials stated that the country’s counterterrorism campaign would continue with full resolve to ensure peace, stability and national security.
