Punjab-bound train attacked in Balochistan, BLA claims responsibility

QUETTA: At least six people have been killed and 19 wounded when Baloch fighters attacked a Punjab-bound train in Aab-e-Gum area of Mach, Balochistan on Friday.

A local Pakistan Railway official confirming the attack said, “The explosions damaged two passenger carriages and killed six people besides wounding 19 others.”

According to APF, the pro-freedom resistance organization Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attack and said the bombing had targeted “military personnel who travel to Rawalpindi by this train”.

In a statement issued to International News Network (NNI) a spokesperson of the BLA, Jeeand Baloch, said, “We attacked the Rawalpindi-bound Jaffar Express on Friday. Such attacks will continue until the withdrawal of occupying [Pakistani] forces from Balochistan.”

Mr Baloch further said Baloch fighters reserve the right to attack any institution of Pakistani state because Baloch are at war against Pakistan from past several decades. “In this war Pakistan has been indiscriminately targeting Baloch civilians and state atrocities against people from all walks of life continue to this day,” the BLA spokesperson added.

“We will defend our country and our people at all costs. As long as the state brutalities continue, we will also carry out guerrilla attacks against occupying state forces,” Jeeand Baloch said adding that “we will choose our targets at a suitable time and place, hence we appeal the Baloch nation and other people living in Balochistan to stay away Pakistani state forces and institutions.”

The BLA its statement made it clear that peace in Balochistan is impossible until the Pakistani occupying forces withdraw from Balochistan.