ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia on Monday condemned the deadly bombing of a passenger train in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province that killed at least 24 people, expressing solidarity with Pakistan amid rising militant violence in the region.
The attack took place Sunday near Quetta, the capital of Balochistan, when a powerful explosion targeted a train carrying passengers, including security personnel and civilians traveling ahead of Eid Al-Adha. The separatist Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) group claimed responsibility for the bombing.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s condemnation of the terrorist attack on a train in Pakistan’s Balochistan province,” a statement said.
“The Kingdom reiterates its complete rejection of all terrorist and extremist acts.”
The ministry also condemned attempts to undermine Pakistan’s security and stability.
“The Kingdom expressed its sincere condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims and to the government and people of the brotherly Islamic Republic of Pakistan in this painful tragedy, wishing security and safety for all.”
The bombing was among the deadliest attacks in Pakistan this year and highlighted the deteriorating security situation in Balochistan, a mineral-rich province bordering Iran and Afghanistan that has faced a decades-long separatist insurgency.
The attack also came at a sensitive diplomatic moment for Pakistan, which has recently emerged as an active intermediary in the US-Iran crisis while deepening coordination with Gulf states including Saudi Arabia.
Pakistan has historically maintained close political, economic and security ties with Saudi Arabia, with the Kingdom remaining one of Islamabad’s key diplomatic and financial partners.
