[Today’s Prayer] Pakistan suicide bombing death toll continues to rise with 24 dead and 50 injured

The death toll from a suicide bombing that occurred on the 9th at a railway station in Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province in western Pakistan, has risen to at least 24, and the number of injured continues to rise to at least 50, Pakistani officials said.

Many of the injured are said to still be in critical condition.

About 100 passengers were waiting for a train from Quetta to the military-held city of Rawalpindi when the bomb exploded, senior Balochistan provincial magistrate Hamza Shafqat said, adding that the death toll was feared to rise as many of the wounded were in critical condition.

Pakistani police said 12 Pakistani security forces were among the dead.

The separatist Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) said in a statement that a suicide bomber targeted soldiers at the train station. Police said they were investigating the claim. The BLA, which is outlawed by Pakistani authorities, has been waging an armed struggle for independence from Pakistan for many years.

Television footage showed the metal structure of the platform's roof blown off, passengers' luggage strewn about and a makeshift tea shop on the platform destroyed.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the bombing in a statement, saying those responsible for plotting and carrying out the attack "will pay a very heavy price" and vowing that the Pakistani military was "completely determined to eradicate the 'menace of terrorism'".

Balochistan is the largest but least populous province in Pakistan. However, rich in oil and minerals, the minority groups there have made no secret of their grievances that they are discriminated against and exploited by the central government. In addition to the BLA, Islamic militants are also active in Balochistan.

Source: News

“I cry to you, LORD; I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.” (Psalm 142:5)

God, we hear the sad news of a suicide bombing in Pakistan, which killed 24 people and wounded 50 others in the Baluchistan Liberation Army's fight for independence.

Many are already critically injured and the death toll is said to be rising.

Many lives are being lost in the struggle for your independence that is costing innocent lives. Please have mercy on this land that is being stained with blood.

We pray for the Lord's compassionate grace among the lost souls who are suffering from the ongoing terrorism and discrimination and exploitation of minorities, especially in Baluchistan.

God, in the midst of all suffering and difficulties, there is only one refuge, the Lord Jesus Christ. We cry out to You on behalf of the souls who are suffering. Among the Pakistani souls who are suffering because of terrorism, among the Pakistani souls who groan and ache because they do not know You, let Your saving grace overflow even more.

God, through this, stir up the global church to pray and reach out to Pakistan with the gospel. Pour out the heart of God for the people who are suffering from the ongoing terrorism, to the global church.

As the global church and the Pakistani church go forth with the gospel into the midst of this hurting land, proclaiming the name of our everlasting refuge, the Lord Jesus Christ, we declare by faith that every soul in Pakistan and Baluchistan will be saved in Jesus' name and set free from all suffering and sin!

So let the struggle for national independence and terrorism cease in the land of Pakistan and let praise and worship to the Kingdom of God be offered unceasingly! We declare that every power of death and spirit of hatred over Pakistan is broken! Rise up a holy nation of Pakistan who will not spare even their lives for the sake of your holy Kingdom, preparing for your coming!

100,000 missionaries in Pakistan will go forward to all nations and rise up, giving their lives to the Lord!