The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has identified the individual behind Saturday’s deadly blast at Quetta Railway Station, which left at least 22 people dead and more than 45 injured.
The BLA’s media wing, Hakkal, released a photo identifying the attacker as Mohammad Rafiq Bizanjo, known by the alias “Washen.”
Bizanjo, a member of the group’s Majeed Brigade, reportedly carried out the “fidayee” (suicide) attack.
The group referred to Bizanjo as a “Fidayee Martyr,” stating that the attack “killed over twenty and injured more than forty non-commissioned officers of the Pakistan Army.”
According to the BLA, the targeted personnel had recently completed a training course at the Infantry School in Quetta.
Local authorities reported that the blast occurred early on Saturday at Quetta Railway Station, a time when the platform is typically busy.
Balochistan’s Police Inspector General, Mouzzam Jah Ansari, confirmed that the death toll had risen to at least 24, with dozens injured, many critically.
“The target was army personnel from the Infantry School,” Ansari said, adding that emergency responders were working through the morning to assist the wounded, many of whom were taken to local hospitals.
Quetta Commissioner Hamza Shafqat confirmed that at least 16 soldiers were among the dead.
In a statement released shortly after the blast, the BLA said it had targeted army personnel returning on the Jaffer Express after completing a course at the Infantry School.
“This morning, a Fidayee attack was carried out on a Pakistani army unit at Quetta Railway Station as they were returning via Jaffer Express,” the BLA spokesperson said.