In a dramatic confrontation unfolding in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province, security forces are engaged in an intense operation to rescue passengers from the Jaffar Express following a brazen attack by Baloch separatist militants on Tuesday. The passenger train, carrying approximately 500 people, was traveling from Quetta to Peshawar when it was derailed and hijacked in a mountainous tunnel near Gudalar and Piru Kunri.
The Attack and Ongoing Rescue
According to the latest updates from Radio Pakistan, security personnel have successfully rescued 155 passengers, including 58 men, 31 women, and 15 children. Reports indicate that 27 militants have been killed during the exchange of fire as operations continue to free the remaining hostages.
“The militants have now formed small groups to try to escape in the dark, but the security forces have surrounded the tunnel and the remaining passengers will also be rescued soon,” a security source revealed, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The rescued passengers have been transported to Mach, a town in Kachhi district, by another train. However, concerns remain high for approximately 300 passengers still believed to be held hostage.
Shahid Rind, spokesperson for the Balochistan government, confirmed that military troops and other security forces quickly reached the difficult terrain shortly after railway authorities were alerted to the situation. Pakistan Railways has established emergency desks at Peshawar and Quetta stations, where anxious relatives gather hoping for information about their loved ones.
The Militants’ Claims and Demands
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist militant group, has claimed responsibility for the attack. In a statement, the group asserted they had killed 30 security personnel and taken 214 passengers hostage, including active-duty personnel. These claims, however, have not been independently verified.
In a disturbing development, multiple sources report that the militants have positioned bombers wearing “suicide jackets” next to some of the hostages, significantly complicating rescue efforts.
The BLA has issued a 48-hour ultimatum, threatening to execute the hostages unless Pakistani authorities release what they describe as “Baloch political prisoners, activists, and missing persons abducted by the Pakistani military.” The group has indicated openness to negotiations for a prisoner swap but warned that continued military intervention would result in the execution of all hostages and complete destruction of the train.
“The clean-up operation will continue until all passengers are rescued from the train,” vowed a security official involved in the operation.
The Great Train Hijack!
— North East West South (@prawasitv) March 11, 2025
BLA releases new press statement on hostage number !
Meanwhile Pakistan army sent a train of soldiers for further operations!#baluchistan #bla #Pakistan #PakistanArmy #PakistanTrainHijack pic.twitter.com/yHDS7f0Q53
Government Response
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has condemned the attack, stating that security officials are “repelling” the militants. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi used strong language in his condemnation, calling the perpetrators “beasts” for targeting innocent civilians.
The Balochistan government has implemented emergency measures to manage the crisis as security forces engage in firefights with the militants. Pakistan media has reported intense gunfire and explosions near the tunnel where the train is held.
Rana Muhammad Dilawar, district police officer in the area, confirmed that security forces have surrounded the region but acknowledged reports that militants had taken women and children as hostages. He noted that approximately four to five government officials were also aboard the train when it was attacked.
“People should not pay heed to rumors on social media and otherwise,” urged Tariq Mahmood, a senior official at Peshawar Railway Station, as misinformation began to spread amid the crisis.
A History of Violence
This is not the first time Balochistan’s railways have been targeted. In November 2024, a suicide bomber killed 26 people and injured 62 others at Quetta railway station, leading to the suspension of several train services for over a month and a half. The Jaffar Express attack occurred shortly after Pakistan Railways had resumed service between Quetta and Peshawar.
The BLA regularly targets Pakistani security forces and has previously attacked civilians, including Chinese nationals working on multibillion-dollar projects related to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Pakistan hosts thousands of Chinese workers as part of Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative, which focuses on developing major infrastructure projects in the region.
The Balochistan Insurgency
The attack highlights the ongoing insurgency in Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest but least populated province, rich in natural resources. Separatist groups like the BLA have long claimed that the central government exploits Balochistan’s gas and mineral resources without fair distribution to the local population.
The BLA, established in 2000, has been designated a terrorist organization by Pakistan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The group seeks independence for Balochistan province, arguing that the region was forcibly incorporated into Pakistan following the country’s independence in 1947.
Critics of the Pakistani government point to economic disparities and human rights concerns in the province, while authorities maintain that the militants represent a small minority and that development projects like CPEC will ultimately benefit local communities.
Human rights organizations have documented allegations of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings in the province, claims that the government denies. Meanwhile, security forces face the challenge of combating insurgent groups while protecting civilian lives and critical infrastructure.
International Implications
The train attack occurs against a backdrop of regional tensions. Pakistan has repeatedly accused neighboring India of supporting Baloch separatists, a charge that India denies. The situation in Balochistan also affects Pakistan’s relationships with China, which has invested heavily in the region through CPEC projects.
Chinese nationals working in Pakistan have faced several targeted attacks in recent years, prompting Beijing to press Islamabad for enhanced security measures. The latest incident may further strain these diplomatic relations and raise questions about Pakistan’s ability to secure foreign investments.
As the rescue operation continues in the rugged terrain of Balochistan, the international community watches closely. The outcome of this crisis could have far-reaching implications for Pakistan’s internal security policies, its approach to the Balochistan insurgency, and its standing among international partners.
The Human Cost
Behind the political and security dimensions of this crisis lie the stories of nearly 500 passengers whose journey turned into a nightmare. Families across Pakistan anxiously await news of their loved ones, congregating at railway stations and desperately seeking information.
For the people of Balochistan, this attack represents another chapter in a long-running conflict that has claimed thousands of lives over decades. Civilian casualties often go unreported in remote areas of the province, where access for journalists and human rights monitors is limited.
Whether this incident will prompt a reassessment of policies toward Balochistan or lead to further militarization remains to be seen. What is clear is that ordinary citizens—both the passengers on the train and the broader population of Balochistan—continue to bear the brunt of this protracted conflict.
As security forces work through the night to secure the release of remaining hostages, Pakistan faces difficult questions about how to address the root causes of the insurgency while protecting its citizens from violence.
FAQ
What is the current status of the Jaffar Express hijacking?
Security forces have rescued 155 passengers so far, while approximately 300 others remain hostage. Operations are ongoing to secure their release, with 27 militants reportedly neutralized in the process.
Who is responsible for the train attack in Balochistan?
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist militant group, has claimed responsibility for derailing and hijacking the train. They have issued demands for the release of what they describe as political prisoners.
What are the militants demanding?
The BLA has issued a 48-hour ultimatum demanding the release of Baloch political prisoners, activists, and alleged missing persons they claim were abducted by Pakistani military forces. They have threatened to execute hostages if their demands are not met.
How many passengers were on the Jaffar Express?
Reports indicate that approximately 500 passengers were aboard the train when it was attacked while traveling from Quetta to Peshawar.
What is the Baloch Liberation Army?
The BLA is a separatist militant group established in 2000 that seeks independence for Balochistan province. It has been designated a terrorist organization by Pakistan, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Why is there an insurgency in Balochistan?
Separatist groups claim that the central government exploits Balochistan’s rich natural resources without fair distribution to the local population. The insurgency is rooted in historical grievances dating back to Pakistan’s independence in 1947.
Has there been previous violence against railways in Balochistan?
Yes, in November 2024, a suicide bomber killed 26 people and injured 62 others at Quetta railway station, leading to the suspension of several train services for over a month and a half.
What is the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and how does it relate to this situation?
CPEC is a multibillion-dollar series of infrastructure projects that form part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative. The BLA has previously targeted Chinese nationals working on these projects, claiming that they represent further exploitation of Balochistan’s resources.