A passenger train, Jaffar Express, was attacked by Baloch separatist militants in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province on Tuesday, injuring the train driver and leading to a major hostage crisis. The train, carrying approximately 400 passengers, was en route from Quetta to Peshawar when it came under heavy gunfire. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist militant group seeking independence for Balochistan, claimed responsibility for the attack.
After an exchange of fire with security personnel, the militants took control of the train inside Tunnel No. 8 in the Bolan district by blowing up a section of the railway track, causing it to derail. Over 100 passengers, including Pakistani military, police, and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) personnel, were taken hostage. Women, children, and Baloch passengers were reportedly released. The BLA warned that any military intervention would result in the execution of the hostages.
The attack has prompted emergency measures by the Balochistan government, with all institutions mobilised to handle the crisis. Security forces have been deployed to the area, and intense gunfire was reported between Pehro Kunri and Gadalar.
Balochistan has long been a hotbed of separatist insurgency, with militant groups frequently targeting government infrastructure, security forces, and Chinese projects. The BLA, the most prominent of these groups, has intensified its operations, demanding greater control over the province’s natural resources. This attack underscores the escalating tensions in the region, raising concerns over Pakistan’s security stability.
The situation remains critical as authorities attempt to negotiate the safe release of hostages while avoiding further escalation. The BLA’s threats of execution have put pressure on the Pakistani government to act swiftly, highlighting the ongoing security challenges in the restive province.
