Pakistan Train Hijack: BLA Claims 20 Soldiers Killed, 182 Hostages Taken
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) hijacked the Jaffar Express in Pakistan’s Balochistan province on Tuesday, claiming to have killed 20 soldiers and taken 182 passengers hostage. The separatist group derailed the Quetta-to-Peshawar train in a remote area, triggering an emergency response from authorities. The BLA has threatened to execute all hostages if the Pakistan military attempts a rescue operation.
The attack occurred in the Bolan district, where BLA gunmen bombed the railway track near Tunnel No. 8, halting the train. “The militants swiftly took control and are holding all passengers hostage,” the BLA said in a statement. The group reported shooting down a drone during the operation.
The BLA claimed 20 Pakistani soldiers were killed in the assault, with 182 people, including security personnel, now in their custody. “Civilian passengers, particularly women, children, elderly, and Baloch citizens, have been released safely,” the group stated. Over 450 passengers were onboard, per railway officials.
The militant group warned, “If the Pakistan military intervenes, all hostages will be executed.” The statement emphasized severe consequences for any rescue attempt. The attack reflects the BLA’s ongoing push for Balochistan’s independence from Pakistan.
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Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind confirmed “intense firing” on the Jaffar Express, calling it a possible terrorist incident. An emergency was declared at Sibi Hospital to handle casualties. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi condemned the attack, saying, “Those who fire on innocent passengers deserve no concessions.”
Mukhtar Ahmed, a railway police official, told Bloomberg, “The train is stopped in a remote, rocky area accessible only by foot.” Railway official Muhammad Kashif added, “Efforts are being made to contact passengers and staff.” The train departed Quetta at 9:00 am for a 30-hour journey to Peshawar.
Balochistan, rich in resources, has long been a hotspot for separatist violence. The BLA and other groups demand greater control over the province’s wealth. Tuesday’s hijacking follows a series of attacks targeting security forces and infrastructure in the region.
Security forces are mobilizing to address the crisis, but the BLA’s threat looms large. The government faces a tense standoff as rescue operations remain complicated by the terrain. Updates on the hostages’ fate and military response are expected as the situation develops.
