On Tuesday, militants from the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) hijacked the Jaffar Express, a passenger train travelling from Quetta to Peshawar, in a remote area of Pakistan’s Balochistan province. The separatist group, which seeks independence for the region, claimed responsibility for the attack. They reportedly derailed the train by blowing up the tracks and halted it inside the Mashkaf tunnel. Afterward, the militants opened fire, killing the train’s driver, and took control of the train with nearly 400 passengers on board.
In response, Pakistani security forces launched a rescue operation to free the hostages. As of Wednesday morning, 104 hostages, including 26 women and 11 children, had been rescued, according to local media. However, the BLA has stated that they are holding 214 hostages, including military personnel, and have killed at least 30 soldiers, though these claims remain unverified by authorities. Some of the hostages were taken into the mountains by the militants, while others were held on the train.
BLA Issues Ultimatum
The BLA issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Pakistani government, demanding the release of political prisoners and missing persons, whom they allege have been detained by the military. The group warned that if their demands were not met, they would execute the hostages and destroy the train. The militants also threatened to kill ten hostages in retaliation for the military’s response.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack as “cowardly” and pledged to continue efforts against terrorism in the country. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also expressed his outrage, calling the militants “beasts” for targeting innocent civilians. Emergency desks have been set up at the Peshawar and Quetta railway stations to help worried relatives of the passengers.
Why the Attack Took Place?
Balochistan, a region rich in gas and mineral resources, has seen increased separatist violence in recent years. The BLA and other insurgent groups accuse the Pakistani government of exploiting the region’s wealth without benefiting the local population. This attack is part of a broader pattern of unrest in the area, which has included numerous terrorist attacks in recent months, such as the deadly suicide bombing at Quetta railway station last November.
The situation remains tense as Pakistani forces continue to engage with the militants in the mountainous terrain. The fate of the remaining hostages is uncertain, and authorities are working to contain the situation and prevent further violence.
