The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has issued a detailed statement on the suicide bombing at Quetta Railway Station, claiming it killed at least 31 non-commissioned officers of the Pakistan Army and injured over 60 others.
The blast took place at 8:20 on Saturday morning as non-commissioned officers prepared to board the Jaffer Express, the BLA said.
The BLA identified the attacker as Muhammad Rafiq Bizenjo, also known as “Washen” and “Faheem.”
Bizenjo, a member of the BLA’s “elite” Majeed Brigade, carried out the attack in response to what the BLA described as Pakistan’s “occupation” of Balochistan.
Analysts have described the incident as the second deadliest suicide attack in Pakistan’s history for non-commissioned officers.
Researcher Abdul Sayed noted that only a 2006 attack in Dargai, carried out by Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), resulted in a higher number of military casualties, killing over 42 personnel.
According to Sayed, this latest attack underscores the BLA’s growing strength and enhanced military capabilities.
The BLA cited alleged brutality and oppression against Baloch civilians, particularly in Mastung, as motivations for the attack.
According to the BLA, Bizenjo targeted army personnel from multiple regiments, including the Punjab Regiment, Northern Light Infantry, Sindh Regiment, Frontier Force, Baloch Regiment, and Azad Kashmir Regiment.
The soldiers had recently completed training at the School of Infantry and Tactics in Quetta, the group said.
The BLA credited its intelligence wing, ZIRAB (Zephyr Intelligence Research and Analysis Bureau), with planning the attack.
The group claimed ZIRAB monitored the army’s movements closely and decided to delay the attack on November 8 to avoid civilian casualties.
According to the BLA, November 9 was chosen because over 200 army personnel were present, with minimal risk to civilians.
The BLA said ZIRAB’s strategy and intelligence capabilities were instrumental in the operation’s success.
The group described Bizenjo as a “Fidayee Martyr” who volunteered for this mission in 2023 after a decade in the Baloch liberation movement.
Bizenjo began his political activities in 2013 with the Baloch Students Organization, the BLA said.
He reportedly turned to armed struggle in 2017 after witnessing violence and disappearances among Baloch activists.
According to the BLA, Bizenjo initially served as an urban guerrilla before joining the Majeed Brigade.
The BLA said he underwent more than a year of training before carrying out the suicide bombing on November 9.
Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police for Balochistan, Moazzam Jah Ansari, confirmed to Reuters that the targets were army personnel from the Infantry School, saying, “The target was army personnel from the Infantry School.”
Provincial Health Department spokesperson Wasim Baig confirmed that the death toll had risen to 31, with 62 others injured.
Baig stated that 46 security personnel were among the injured, many in critical condition.
The Balochistan Post received the names of 15 injured personnel, who were among those taken to CMH Quetta.
Identified injured include Havaldar Muhammad Ali, Havaldar Naeem, Subedar Saif, Naik Kaleem, Lance Naik Ahmed, and Havaldar Muhammad Nasir, among others.
Following the attack, a nationwide red alert was issued for railway stations across Pakistan.
Additional railway police personnel have been deployed, with bomb disposal squads stationed at major railway stations.
Inspector General of Railway Police in Karachi, Rao Sardar Ali Khan, said passengers and luggage would be screened upon entering stations.
He added that the number of walk-through gates has been increased at key railway stations.
In its statement, the BLA warned that if Pakistan’s military presence in Balochistan continues, future attacks will escalate and could extend to major cities in Pakistan.
The group called for the immediate withdrawal of Pakistani forces and recognition of Balochistan’s sovereignty.
The BLA said it would “not back down” from its struggle for independence, calling on the international community to support the Baloch national liberation movement.
Jeeyand Baloch, spokesperson for the BLA, said that the movement seeks peace but will continue to resist what it described as “oppression” and “occupation.”
The BLA said Bizenjo’s sacrifice sends a message that the Baloch are committed to their cause and will “pay any price” for their liberation, serving as an example of “bravery and sacrifice” for future generations.