SHIKARPUR, Pakistan, October 7, 2025: At least seven passengers were injured when a bomb exploded on railway tracks in Sindh province on Tuesday, derailing multiple coaches of the Quetta-bound Jaffar Express. Authorities confirmed that the explosion was caused by an improvised explosive device planted near Sultan Kot Railway Station in the Shikarpur district. The train, which was traveling from Peshawar to Quetta, was passing through a remote section near the border of Sindh and Balochistan when the blast occurred.
Ongoing bomb explosions in Pakistan raise urgent concerns over national rail transport safety. (Stock Image)
The explosion caused at least four carriages to derail, according to officials from Pakistan Railways. Rescue teams, railway staff, and local law enforcement responded quickly to the site, evacuating injured passengers and initiating recovery operations. No fatalities have been reported at this stage. Pakistan Railways officials said that all affected passengers were transported to nearby medical facilities for treatment, and a relief train was dispatched from Rohri to assist with recovery. A security cordon has been established in the surrounding area, and rail traffic on the route was temporarily suspended.
This marks the seventh attack on the Jaffar Express in the past 12 months, making it one of the most frequently targeted trains in the country. The train serves as a vital transportation link between Pakistan’s northern cities and the southwestern province of Balochistan. It is routinely used by both civilians and government personnel, including members of the security forces. A group identifying itself as the Baloch Republic Guards claimed responsibility for Tuesday’s bombing in a statement released several hours after the incident. Authorities have not commented on the claim, and investigations are ongoing.
Jaffar Express blast injures passengers, disrupts service
Forensic teams have been dispatched to examine the site of the explosion, and security agencies are working to identify those responsible. The Jaffar Express has previously been targeted in a series of attacks involving explosives and armed assaults. In March 2025, militants hijacked the train in Bolan Pass, holding passengers hostage for several hours and killing more than 20 people, including security personnel. That incident led to a large-scale military operation by Pakistani forces in the region.
Other attacks this year include a derailment in Jacobabad in June following a similar explosion, and two separate incidents in August near Mastung and Kolpur. In each case, damage to the train or rail infrastructure was confirmed, though casualties varied. Security for train operations through Balochistan has since been increased, with patrols and surveillance reinforced in vulnerable sections. Pakistan Railways has condemned the latest attack and reiterated its commitment to maintaining train operations despite the security threats.
Recurrent attacks spotlight critical rail infrastructure
The Ministry of Railways said efforts are underway to assess damage to the rail line and resume services on the affected route as soon as possible. The Jaffar Express was halted for several hours before being cleared to continue with support from a relief engine. Officials from the federal and provincial governments have visited the injured and pledged support for the victims. Investigations are being led by the counterterrorism department in coordination with railway police and intelligence agencies.
The incident underscores persistent security challenges in regions bordering Sindh and Balochistan, where transport infrastructure has frequently come under attack in recent years. Rail services in these areas remain under heightened alert as authorities continue to monitor the situation, deploy additional patrol units, and review existing security protocols to prevent further disruptions and ensure passenger safety across key routes. – By Content Syndication Services.