Quetta, Pakistan – A train carrying hundreds of passengers was recently hijacked by separatist militants in Pakistan’s troubled southwestern province of Balochistan. Government and railway officials reported that the Jaffer Express came to a halt in a tunnel on Tuesday afternoon, with armed individuals taking control of the train and holding passengers hostage.
The train, traveling from Quetta to Peshawar, was reportedly stopped by militants belonging to the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist group operating in the region. The BLA has claimed responsibility for the attack and threatened to execute hostages if security forces attempt a rescue operation.
Efforts to reach the passengers and crew have been unsuccessful, leaving the situation on the train unclear. Government officials in Balochistan have confirmed reports of intense gunfire on the train, which is currently located in the mountainous region of Sibi, posing challenges for access and rescue operations.
Emergency response teams have been mobilized, with a relief train dispatched to the scene and security forces en route to secure the area. Authorities are treating the incident as a possible terrorist attack and are investigating further to assess the threat posed by the militant group.
The escalation of violence in Balochistan in recent years has been fueled by grievances over the exploitation of the region’s resources and limited economic development in Pakistan’s poorest province. The lease of the Gwadar port to China as part of the Belt and Road initiative has further inflamed tensions, leading to increased attacks on infrastructure and personnel working on development projects in the region.
The BLA, known for carrying out some of the deadliest attacks in Pakistan, continues to challenge the government’s authority and security forces in Balochistan. The situation remains fluid, with updates expected as the story develops.