In a dramatic and unsettling incident in southwestern Pakistan, Baloch separatists from the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) hijacked the Jaffar Express in the Sibi district of Balochistan. The militants, who claim responsibility for the attack, have taken hundreds of passengers hostage and warned of severe consequences if any rescue attempt is made.
What Happened
The incident unfolded around 1 p.m. on Tuesday when armed militants halted the Jaffar Express—a nine-coach train carrying approximately 500 passengers—shortly after it crossed Masjid station. The train, which had departed Quetta at 9 a.m. and was en route to Peshawar, was brought to an abrupt stop in a mountainous area near Sibi, a district bordering both Afghanistan and Iran.
According to reports, six assailants opened fire as the train was coming to a halt, resulting in the deaths of at least six military personnel. The attackers then bombed the railway track and took control of the train after injuring the driver, forcing the vehicle to become immobilized inside a tunnel.
Hostage Situation and Security Response
The BLA claimed responsibility for the hijacking, stating in a press release that they had taken 182 passengers hostage, including Pakistani Army personnel and security officials who were on leave. While the group reportedly released civilian passengers—particularly women, children, the elderly, and local Baloch citizens—they warned that any military intervention would result in the execution of all hostages.
Security forces have responded by dispatching additional trains to the scene and beefing up security along the nearby N-65 Highway. However, the rugged, mountainous terrain has made it difficult for ambulances and rescue teams to access the site. Efforts to contact the passengers and staff are underway as the situation remains tense.
Official Reactions and Clashes
Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind confirmed that there were reports of heavy firing between Pehro Kunri and Gadalar on the train’s route from Quetta to Peshawar. Meanwhile, Controller Railways Muhammad Kashif and district police officer Rana Muhammad Dilawar both reported that the train was stuck in Tunnel No. 8, and that rescue operations were in progress.
The Pakistani government has condemned the incident. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi described the BLA militants as “beasts who fire on innocent passengers,” and former President Arif Alvi called the attack “heinous and cowardly,” emphasizing that the nation’s security forces must focus their undivided attention on ensuring the safety of the hostages.
Three security officials, however, claimed that the militants were using women and children as human shields, complicating rescue efforts and intensifying the crisis. Additionally, Abdul Qadir Baloch, a former Pakistani parliamentarian, stated that over 150 military personnel have already lost their lives in clashes with BLA militants during previous hostage rescue attempts.
Context and Motivations
The BLA has long targeted the Pakistani government, accusing it of exploiting Balochistan’s rich gas and mineral resources and discriminating against the ethnic Baloch minority. The group seeks an independent Balochistan—a demand that has fueled decades of insurgency and violent clashes. Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest but least populated province, remains underdeveloped and beset by poverty, further intensifying local grievances.
This latest hijacking is the most severe train incident in recent memory. In November, a separatist group conducted a suicide bombing at a Quetta train station that killed 26 people, underscoring the ongoing volatility in the region.
