On Tuesday, March 11, 2025, armed militants from the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) attacked the Jaffar Express, a passenger train traveling from Quetta to Peshawar in Pakistan’s volatile Balochistan province. Carrying over 400 passengers, the train was ambushed in the remote Sibi district, where the separatist group bombed the railway track before storming the coaches, according to military sources cited by the BBC. The BLA, a militant organization seeking independence for Balochistan, claimed responsibility, asserting they had taken control of the train and seized hostages, including security personnel. The attack underscores the escalating insurgency in Pakistan’s largest yet least-developed province, rich in natural resources but plagued by decades of unrest.
The BLA alleged it killed over 30 Pakistani security personnel and took 214 passengers hostage, threatening to execute them if their demands—primarily the release of Baloch political prisoners—were not met within 48 hours. Pakistani authorities, however, disputed these figures. Local police reported that only 35 passengers were taken hostage, with around 350 others believed to be safe. The militants claimed to have released civilians, including women, children, and ethnic Baloch, while retaining military and security personnel as captives. The train, trapped in Tunnel No. 8 amidst rugged terrain, became the epicenter of a tense standoff.
By Wednesday morning, March 12, Pakistani security forces launched a robust counter-operation, involving ground troops, helicopters, and aerial bombing. Local media, including reports from Dawn and Reuters, confirmed that at least 16 militants were killed and 104 passengers rescued, among them 58 men, 31 women, and 15 children. Seventeen injured passengers were hospitalized. The operation faced challenges due to the mountainous landscape, complicating access to the site. Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi condemned the attack, vowing no concessions to the militants, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif labeled it an assault on innocent lives.
Balochistan’s insurgency, driven by groups like the BLA, stems from grievances over resource exploitation and marginalization. This high-profile hijacking highlights the deteriorating security situation, raising concerns about Pakistan’s ability to manage separatist threats in the region. The rescue efforts continue as tensions remain high.
