The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for hijacking the Jaffar Express train in Pakistan’s Balochistan province, taking hundreds of passengers hostage and killing six Pakistani military personnel. The militant group, which has long sought independence for Balochistan, has threatened to execute hostages if the Pakistani forces attempt a rescue operation.
Train Hijacking in Bolan District
The Jaffar Express, carrying over 400 passengers in nine bogies, was traveling from Quetta to Peshawar when armed BLA militants attacked it in the Mushqaf area of Bolan district. Railway officials confirmed that the attackers blew up railway tracks, forcing the train to stop before they boarded it and took control.
A statement released by BLA spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch declared:
“Any military incursion will be met with an equally forceful response. So far, six military personnel have been killed, and hundreds of passengers remain under BLA custody. The Baloch Liberation Army takes full responsibility for this operation.”
Pakistani Authorities Respond
Security forces have been deployed to the site of the attack, while the Balochistan government has declared an emergency to handle the crisis. Government spokesperson Shahid Rind stated that all relevant institutions had been mobilized to address the situation.
The Balochistan Conflict and the BLA’s Role
Balochistan has been plagued by a decades-long insurgency led by separatist militant groups, including the BLA, who accuse the Pakistani government of exploiting the province’s rich mineral and gas resources without benefiting the local population. The BLA is the largest separatist group, frequently targeting Pakistani security forces and Chinese projects in the region.
Despite being Pakistan’s largest province by land area (44% of the country’s total landmass), Balochistan remains one of the least populated and least developed regions. It holds strategic importance due to Gwadar Port, a key hub in China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
Geopolitical Significance
Balochistan shares borders with Iran, Afghanistan, and the Pakistani provinces of Sindh, Punjab, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The province has remained a hotbed of insurgency, with militant groups demanding autonomy or independence.
As the hostage situation unfolds, Pakistan’s response to this crisis will be crucial in determining how the insurgency and regional security concerns evolve in the coming days
