Pakistan Train Hijack: Jaffar Express hijacked in Pakistan, 30 soldiers killed; what are the demands of the rebels?
Baloch rebels in Pakistan hijacked the Jaffar Express train. There were about 500 passengers on board the train. BLA has claimed to have taken more than 182 passengers hostage, including killing 30 army personnel in the firing on the train between Gudlar and Piru Koneri areas. According to security sources, the operation will continue until the last terrorist is killed.
Ankush Pandey
Highlights
- Claimed to have killed 30 soldiers and taken 182 hostage.
- Hijacked Jaffar Express after derailing it.
PTI, Karachi. Baloch rebels hijacked a train in Pakistan's Balochistan on Tuesday. The nine-coach Jaffar Express left Quetta for Peshawar at 9 am with about 500 passengers.
The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), banned by Pakistan, Britain and the US, has claimed responsibility for the incident. The BLA has claimed to have killed 30 army personnel and taken more than 182 passengers hostage in the firing on the train between Gudlar and Piru Koneri areas. However, this could not be confirmed.
Where was the train hijacked?
The Balochistan government has directed authorities to take emergency measures. The attack took place near the Ab-e-Gum area of Mach Town in Balochistan's Kachhi district when about six armed men opened fire on the train, causing panic among the passengers.
Balochistan government spokesman Shahid Ring said,
'Rescue teams and security forces have reached the spot and a search operation is underway. An emergency has been declared in local hospitals.'
Claim of killing 30 soldiers
BLA claimed that it had killed 30 soldiers after attacking the train and taking control of it and had held 182 passengers hostage for six hours, including its fidayeen unit Majeed Brigade personnel.
BLA has issued a statement saying that its fighters are fighting the Pakistani Air Force with anti-aircraft systems and causing serious damage to it. They have warned that if the Pakistani army takes any military action, all the hostages will be killed and the fidayeen will fight till the last breath.
They said that so far this operation has been very successful and not a single member has been injured or killed. There is no official information about the casualties, but security sources said that the train driver and many passengers have been injured.
Train driver injured in this incident
According to security sources, the operation will continue until the last terrorist is killed. Railway officials have confirmed that the train driver is seriously injured and have sent an emergency relief train for help. Railway controller Muhammad Kashif has said that this nine-coach train was stopped by armed men in tunnel number 8.
Pakistan's Home Minister condemned the attack
According to Pakistan Railways, there are 17 tunnels on this railway line and due to the inaccessible terrain, trains often move at a slow speed. Condemning the incident, Pakistan Home Minister Mohsin Naqvi said, 'The brutes who shot innocent passengers do not deserve any concession.'
Rail services started only last year
It is worth noting that this railway section was attacked by Baloch terrorists with rockets or remote-controlled bombs. BLA claimed responsibility for most of the attacks.
Last October, Pakistan Railways restored rail services between Quetta and Peshawar after more than one and a half months. Terrorist attacks have increased in Balochistan in the last one year. In November 2024, 26 people were killed and 62 others were injured in a suicide blast at Quetta railway station.
Terrorist attacks are frequent in Balochistan
Oil and mineral-rich Balochistan is Pakistan's largest province by area but least populated. Balochistan, bordering Iran and Afghanistan, has long struggled with violent separatism. Baloch insurgent groups often carry out attacks targeting security personnel, government projects, and the US$60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects in the region.
Know what is BLA?
Let us inform you that the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) has been accusing Pakistan of annexing Balochistan against the will of its people. BLA has always reiterated its demand for the independence of Balochistan.
This separatist group has already been banned by Pakistan, Britain and America. This separatist organization has long rebelled against the Pakistani government, demanding independence from Balochistan.
