The Jaffar Express, a passenger train traveling from Quetta to Peshawar, was hijacked on Tuesday by militants from the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA). The attack took place in the Bolan Pass region near Sibi, Balochistan, where separatist fighters ambushed the train, holding hundreds of passengers hostage. The deadly incident has escalated tensions in the already volatile province.
How Was Jaffar Express Hijacked?
The attack occurred at approximately 1 PM local time when the Jaffar Express was passing through a series of tunnels in the mountainous Bolan Pass. Reports indicate that BLA militants detonated explosives on the railway track, forcing the train to stop. Armed fighters then surrounded the train, targeting security personnel and taking control of several carriages.
According to initial reports, the attackers claimed to have killed at least six military personnel during the assault. Mobile connectivity issues in the remote area made it difficult for authorities to establish immediate contact with the stranded passengers.
Who Is Behind the Hijacking?
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist militant group seeking Balochistan’s independence from Pakistan, has claimed responsibility for the attack. The BLA has been active in Balochistan for years, conducting attacks against Pakistani security forces and infrastructure projects, including those related to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
In a statement, the BLA warned that any military retaliation would result in severe consequences. The group has also carried out previous attacks on Jaffar Express, including a bombing at Quetta’s railway station last year that killed at least 30 people.
Government Response and Military Operation
Pakistan’s security forces launched an operation to regain control of the train and rescue the passengers. A group of nearly 70 passengers, including women, children, and elderly individuals, managed to reach Panir railway station, six kilometers from the attack site, after escaping on foot along the railway track.
Authorities have imposed an emergency in hospitals across Sibi and Quetta in anticipation of casualties. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi strongly condemned the attack, calling the militants “beasts who fire on innocent passengers.”
Why Has Balochistan Seen a Rise in Attacks?
Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest but least developed province, has been experiencing a surge in militant violence. Despite being rich in natural resources, the region has long been a hotbed of separatist movements, with groups like the BLA accusing the state of oppression and forced disappearances.
The presence of large-scale infrastructure projects like CPEC has further fueled tensions, with separatist militants targeting Chinese workers and Pakistani security forces in recent years. The latest attack on Jaffar Express underscores the growing instability in the province.
What’s Next?
The military operation against the hijackers is ongoing, with security forces working to ensure the safe evacuation of remaining passengers. Meanwhile, the government is on high alert, monitoring further threats from separatist groups.
As Pakistan grapples with rising insurgency in Balochistan, the hijacking of Jaffar Express serves as another grim reminder of the challenges faced in maintaining security in the region.
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