Seven dead in explosion on Quetta-bound Jaffar Express

At least 10 people were also injured in the explosion and were taken to Dera Murad Jamali for treatment.

DERA MURAD JAMALI: An explosion on board a Quetta-bound train left seven people dead and at least 10 injured on Monday, Minister for Pakistan Railways Khwaja Saad Rafique confirmed.

The injured were taken to Dera Murad Jamali for treatment.

The toll is likely to rise according to the minister for Pakistan Railways as two coaches of the train were derailed as a result of the blast and rescue work is still underway.

Home secretary Asad Gilani said, "The target (of the blast) was the passenger train," Jaffar Express, headed from Rawalpindi to Quetta.

The device was planted on the railway track, AFP reported.

The blast occurred near the Notal area of Balochistan.

Two trains have been sent from Sukkur and Sibi to the scene of the blast for relief work and to fix the tracks.