The hostage situation aboard Pakistan’s Jaffar Express has now entered its second day. Baloch separatists from the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) hijacked the train on Tuesday around 1 p.m. in the Sibi district, a mountainous region of Balochistan bordering Afghanistan and Iran, while the train was en route from Quetta to Peshawar.

The Hijacking Incident

According to reports, armed militants halted the train by opening fire, resulting in the deaths of at least six military personnel. The assailants injured the driver by bombing the railway track, taking control of the nine-coach train, and seizing hundreds of passengers as hostages. Authorities have confirmed that around 150 hostages have been released, while the BLA claims to have taken 182 passengers hostage, including security personnel and army members on leave.

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Rescue operations are ongoing, but the rugged terrain and the train being stuck inside Tunnel No. 8 have complicated efforts. Security along the N-65 Highway has been heightened, and additional trains have been dispatched to the area to assist in the rescue.

A History of Attacks on Jaffar Express

The Jaffar Express, named after the late Baloch tribal leader Mir Jaffar Khan Jamali, has long been a target for separatist militants. The train, which covers approximately 1,630 kilometers from Quetta to Peshawar in over 30 hours, has endured a series of violent attacks over the years:

  • February 2023: An explosion on the train resulted in one fatality and left a dozen injured.
  • January 2023: A blast in the Bolan district derailed part of the train, injuring at least 13 people.
  • November 2023: A suicide bombing at Quetta railway station killed 26 and injured over 40, including women and children.
  • Earlier Incidents: In 2018, militants attempted to blow up the train using remote-controlled explosives, narrowly missing their target.

These repeated attacks underscore the vulnerability of the Jaffar Express to militant actions, particularly by groups such as the BLA and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

The Broader Context in Balochistan

Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province by area yet sparsely populated, has long been a flashpoint for separatist movements. Militants claim that the central government exploits the region’s vast gas and mineral resources while discriminating against the ethnic Baloch population. The BLA, estimated to have around 3,000 members, has frequently targeted both civilian and military assets, as well as Chinese workers involved in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects.

The ongoing hostage crisis comes amid a turbulent backdrop where human rights activists have accused the Pakistan Army of severe human rights abuses in Balochistan, including the disappearance of thousands of Baloch youths.

The Jaffar Express: A Lifeline with a Troubled Past

Inaugurated on April 16, 2003, by former Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali, the Jaffar Express originally ran between Quetta and Rawalpindi before its route was extended to Peshawar in April 2017. Over the years, the train has not only been a vital transportation link for thousands of passengers but also a frequent target of terror attacks, highlighting the persistent instability in the region.

What Lies Ahead

Authorities are working to secure the train and rescue all hostages. As rescue operations continue, the government is under pressure to address the recurring security challenges along the railway routes in Balochistan. The international community is also closely monitoring the situation, given its implications for regional stability and the ongoing conflict between the Pakistani government and separatist militants.