On March 11, 2025, militants from the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) attacked the Jaffar Express train in the Bolan district of Balochistan, Pakistan, injuring the driver and taking over 100 passengers hostage.
The train, carrying more than 400 passengers, was en route from Quetta to Peshawar when it came under intense gunfire. Security forces have been deployed to the scene, and local hospitals are on high alert.
The BLA claims that among the hostages are Pakistani security and intelligence officers, and that six military personnel who resisted were killed, though these claims have not been independently verified.
This incident is part of a series of escalating attacks by the BLA, a separatist group seeking independence for Balochistan. In November 2024, the BLA carried out a suicide bombing at a Quetta train station, killing at least 24 people and injuring over 40.
The group has intensified its operations in recent months, with tactics increasingly resembling those of the Pakistani Taliban, including the use of suicide bombers.
Balochistan, despite its wealth in natural resources, remains one of Pakistan’s poorest regions. The BLA’s insurgency is fueled by longstanding grievances over alleged discrimination and exploitation by the central government.
The Pakistani government has condemned these attacks, emphasizing their intent to disrupt major economic projects, such as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that militants aim to hinder cooperation between Pakistan and China through such violent acts.
The situation remains tense as security forces attempt to resolve the hostage crisis and prevent further escalation in the region.
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