[Today’s Prayer] Pakistan Passenger Train Derails after Powerful Bomb Blast leaving 15 passengers injured

The bomb exploded when the Jaffar Express passenger train was passing through the Bolan district in the southwestern Pakistani province of Balochistan. According to a local official, Agha Samiullah, the train engine and eight train cars were derailed due to the bomb blast on Friday, leaving 15 people injured.

The separatist Baluchistan Liberation Army has claimed responsibility for the attack. Azad Baloch, a spokesman for the group, was quoted by the publication as saying: “Their fighters targeted security forces traveling by train to the garrison city of Rawalpindi in eastern Punjab province.”

However, Pakistani government and military officials did not immediately comment on the claims made by the separatist group.

Balochistan borders Afghanistan and Iran, and is a hotspot for separatist armed rebels and Islamic extremist organizations. Rebels such as the BLA are claiming the independence of Balochistan, claiming that the Pakistani government and China are exploiting local resources such as minerals.

The BLA attacked two military bases in Balochistan province in February last year, killing seven soldiers. In April of the same year, a suicide bombing also took place in Karachi, a large southern city, killing three Chinese people, including the director and two teachers of the Confucius Institute, a Chinese language educational institution.

(Source: Yonhap News)

And I said, ‘Lord, they themselves know that in one synagogue after another I imprisoned and beat those who believed in you. And when the blood of Stephen your witness was being shed, I myself was standing by and approving and watching over the garments of those who killed him.’ And he said to me, ‘Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles” (Acts 22:19-21).

Amen! Lord, we are hearing from Pakistan that the Balochistan Liberation Army has detonated targeted bombs on passenger trains, derailing 8 trains and injuring more than 15 people. Lord, the Balochistan are living in so much discrimination, and oppression, while shouting for independence along the border of Iran and Afghanistan. But we believe our Lord pays attention to the Baloch people of Pakistan.

May Pakistan lays down and represents its own people and shout for independence and freedom to become a nation that will also lay down its lives for Jesus Christ. Just as the Lord called Saul, who persecuted and put those who believed in the Lord to death, was sent among the Gentiles. May we witness those who put the lives of God’s children to death to become people who follow the Lord’s calling and move faithfully toward all nations.

Lord, reveal your plan and love upon Pakistan and Baloch people. May they will be known as a nation that advances by proclaiming the gospel and new life that is gained through Jesus Christ among all nations! Amen!