The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for a large-scale attack on the Peshawar-bound Jaffar Express in Balochistan’s Bolan region on Monday. The insurgent group stated that its fighters carried out a coordinated operation near the Mach area, derailing the train by blowing up the railway tracks before seizing control and taking passengers hostage.
The Jaffar Express, a key passenger service running between Quetta and Peshawar, was carrying hundreds of passengers at the time of the attack. The nine-coach train included multiple economy-class compartments and was primarily transporting government employees and civilians returning from Balochistan to other parts of Pakistan.
According to a statement issued by BLA spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch, the attack was executed by special units, including Majeed Brigade, Special Tactical Operations Squad (STOS), and Fatah Squad. The insurgents swiftly took control of the train and held all passengers captive, issuing a stark warning that any military operation to free them would result in their execution.
Security officials confirmed that armed men attacked the train near Aab Gum in Bolan’s Mach, causing widespread panic among passengers. Officials have said that the assailants reportedly opened fire on the train, leading to multiple injuries. Authorities have launched an emergency response, dispatching rescue teams and security forces to the area while imposing emergency measures in hospitals across Sibi and Quetta.
BLA’s statement further claimed that six security personnel were killed during the assault, and 182 passengers, including serving members of the Pakistan Army, police, and intelligence agencies, were taken into custody. The group stated that women, children, and Baloch passengers were released unharmed, while others remained under their control as part of their military campaign.
The insurgent outfit has issued a dire ultimatum, threatening to execute all hostages if Pakistani forces proceed with military retaliation. “If the occupying army launches any operation, the consequences will be severe, and the responsibility will lie with them,” the statement warned.
Meanwhile, government authorities have confirmed reports of the attack but have not released specific details on the number of casualties or the hostage situation. A senior railway official in Quetta, Muhammad Sharif, stated that the train remains stranded due to the incident and that the driver was among the wounded.
In response, the Balochistan government has placed security forces on high alert and initiated aerial surveillance of the region. Helicopters have been deployed to assess the situation as authorities strategize a response to the hostage crisis.
The attack underscores the growing insurgency in Balochistan, where ‘pro-independence’ groups have intensified their attacks on state infrastructure and security personnel in recent months.
As the situation unfolds, concerns remain high over the fate of the hostages and the potential for further escalation. The Pakistani government faces a critical challenge in navigating the crisis while minimizing civilian casualties and ensuring the safe recovery of those held captive.