Quetta, May 24 -- At least 24 people were killed, and over 50 were injured in a devastating explosion that struck near the Chaman Phatak railway area in Quetta, in Pakistan's restive southwestern province of Balochistan on Sunday.

The attack, which authorities have described as a targeted operation, occurred as a train carrying military personnel and their families was passing through the city.

According to officials, the explosion was caused by an explosive-laden vehicle that struck one of the train's carriages as it passed a signal at Chaman Phatak. The force of the blast caused several coaches to derail and overturn others, reported Geo News.

The blast occured shortly after 8 AM and derailed three coaches, including the locomotive, ...