According to sources, Pakistani security forces have rescued over 150 hostages after the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) hijacked a train carrying more than 400 passengers in Balochistan’s Kacchi district.
The same sources highlighted So far, 27 BLA member involved in the hijacking of the Jaffar Express have been killed in the security operation.
The security forces managed to rescue 155 hostages, including dozens of women and children, after a gunfight with the BLA members. The rescued passengers have been taken to Mach, a nearby town, where a makeshift hospital has been set upto provide medical assistance.
It remains unclear how many hostages are still on board the Jaffar Express. While the BLA has denied any casualties on their side, they have claimed to have killed 30 soldiers, a claim that the Pakistani authorities have not confirmed.
The sources further claimed that “BLA are in touch with their facilitators in Afghanistan.” The rescue operation is ongoing, with reports suggesting that suicide bombers are holding some hostages close to them.
The military operation led the BLA members who hijacked train to split into small groups, leading to an exchange of gunfire between security forces and the attackers.
The Jaffar Express was intercepted by BLA people inside a tunnel while travelling from Quetta to Peshawar. The attackers blew up the tracks, forcing the train to a halt, and killed the locomotive driver.
At least 400 passengers were onboard the nine-bogie train, which was running after a month-long suspension.
The BLA, the most powerful group in Balochistan, soon claimed responsibility for the hijacking and demanded the release of Baloch political prisoners and missing persons, whom they claimed had been forcibly disappeared by the Pakistani military.
The BLA set a 48-hour deadline, threatening to “completely destroy” the train if the demands are not met. They also threatened to execute 10 hostages in retaliation for the military operation.
Meanwhile, the military has set up emergency response desks at Peshawar and Quetta railway stations to assist the families of those still held hostage.
Sources said the situation continues to remain highly critical.
Also Read: Train Hijack in Pakistan: Baloch Liberation Army takes Responsibility
Pakistani security forces have faced major resistance from separatist groups like the BLA in Balochistan, which has been carrying out targeted attacks and killings of security personnel from other provinces in the country, especially Punjab.
Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) provinces have continued to be one of the most volatile regions of the country, with groups carrying out targeted attacks on security forces.
Balochistan is the largest province of Pakistan in terms of land area, making up about 44% of the country. However, it has the smallest population. The province also has Gwadar, a deep-sea port that Pakistan considers strategically important for trade.
Located in southwestern Pakistan, Balochistan shares borders with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Sindh, Iran, Afghanistan, and the Arabian Sea. The Baloch people, an ethnic group native to this region, have long felt neglected by the Pakistani Government. They claim that despite the province’s wealth in natural resources, they remain poor and underdeveloped. Many Baloch groups demand either greater autonomy or complete independence from Pakistan. Thishas led to ongoing conflicts and constant dissatisfaction in the form of violence and incidents like train hijacks.
