Putin offers condolences over deadly Pakistan blast

At least 24 people were killed in a suicide bombing attack in the southwest of the country

Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered his condolences to his Pakistani counterpart Asif Ali Zardari and the country’s prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif, over the deadly blast at a rail station in Pakistan on Saturday, according to the Kremlin press service.

The explosion occurred at the Quetta station in the province of Balochistan, killing at least 24 people and injuring dozens more. The Russian president strongly condemned the attack and pledged to continue anti-terrorism cooperation with Pakistan.

“We strongly condemn this barbaric crime, among the victims of which were women and children. We hope that its masterminds will get the punishment they deserve,” the president stated, as cited by the Kremlin press service.

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The attack, apparently perpetrated by a suicide bomber, occurred at the railway station just as two trains were scheduled to arrive, meaning a large number of people were on the platform at the time. CCTV footage from the scene suggests the blast was centered near the ticket booth.

The Balochistan Liberation Army, a separatist insurgent group, has claimed responsibility for the act. The organization has long been banned in Pakistan under anti-terrorism laws.

The group claimed it was targeting a Pakistan army unit that was supposedly traveling on one of the trains after completing a course at an infantry school.