Armed militants launched an assault on a passenger train in the Balochistan province of Pakistan, resulting in the deaths of three individuals and the hostage-taking of over 450 passengers. In response, Pakistani security forces initiated an operation that successfully rescued more than 100 hostages while eliminating 16 militants.
Intense gunfire persisted throughout the night as security personnel endeavored to secure the area. Tragically, at least 20 soldiers lost their lives during the fierce exchange of fire.
How did the incident transpire?
The assailants, identified as members of the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), detonated explosives on the railway track, compelling the train to halt in a secluded location. They subsequently boarded the train, asserting control and segregating male passengers from female ones. “In a state of panic, people began to hide beneath the seats. The militants divided the men from the women. They permitted my family and me to leave because I informed them of my heart condition,” recounted Allahditta, a 49-year-old passenger.
Some hostages managed to escape and trekked for hours to find safety. One woman who was released shared, “I was on the train with my father and brother when the militants took us captive. They allowed me to go, but my family remains with them.”
Casualties and rescue operations
The attack claimed the lives of the train driver, a police officer, and a soldier. Security forces maintained their operations throughout the night, with reports indicating ongoing heavy gunfire. “The clearance operation is still in progress,” confirmed security sources.
Who is accountable?
The BLA has taken responsibility for the assault, persisting in its insurgency against the Pakistani government. The group has intensified its violent activities in Balochistan, targeting both civilians and security personnel. In recent months, it has executed deadly attacks, including a bombing at Quetta’s railway station that resulted in 26 fatalities.
48-hour ultimatum: BLA threatens to execute hostages amid military actions
In a related development, the BLA has issued a threat to execute ten Pakistani hostages in retaliation for drone strikes and artillery bombardments conducted by Pakistani forces during the ongoing hostage crisis in the Bolan district of Balochistan, as reported by The Balochistan Post.
In a media statement, BLA spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch criticized the Pakistani military for what he termed “irresponsible and reckless aggression,” asserting that drone strikes and artillery bombardments were directed at BLA positions in proximity to the hijacked Jaffar Express train.
Balochistan is considered a conflict zone due to its status as Pakistan’s largest yet most impoverished province, which has historically been a center for separatist movements. Militants argue that the region’s abundant natural resources are being exploited by external entities, resulting in minimal advantages for the local population. The resurgence of violence has escalated since the Taliban regained control in Afghanistan, with Pakistan accusing Kabul of providing refuge to militants—an assertion that the Taliban refutes. In 2013, Balochistan experienced the highest level of militant violence in nearly a decade.
