In a dramatic escalation of insurgent violence, a long-distance passenger train was hijacked in Pakistan’s restive Balochistan province on Tuesday, March 11 . The Balochistan Liberation Army, BLA claimed responsibility for the attack on the Jaffar Express, taking hostages and claiming significant military casualties. This incident is part of a broader history of Baloch insurgency and illustrates the region’s ongoing instability.
The Jaffar Express Hijacking. What Happened?
The Jaffar Express, en route from Quetta to Peshawar, was intercepted in a mountainous stretch between Pehro Kunri and Gadalar in Balochistan’s Kachhi district. Armed BLA militants forced the train to a halt in Tunnel No. 8, taking control of the passengers. The group later released a statement claiming they had killed 20 Pakistani Army personnel, shot down a military drone, and taken 182 people hostage, including members of the Pakistani military and intelligence agencies.
By early Wednesday, Pakistani security forces reported they had rescued around 100 passengers and killed 16 militants. The situation remains tense, with authorities working to secure the remaining hostages.
What is the Jaffar Express?
Named after Baloch tribal leader Mir Jaffar Khan Jamali, the Jaffar Express has been in operation for over 20 years, initially running between Quetta and Rawalpindi before being extended to Peshawar in 2017. Covering over 1,600 km, it connects major Pakistani cities and is a crucial lifeline for passengers traveling across the country. However, its operations have been repeatedly disrupted by militant attacks.
Just last year, the Jaffar Express was suspended from August 26 to October 10 after a series of bombings by the BLA, which destroyed vital railway infrastructure, including a key bridge. Security concerns led to further suspensions in December. The most devastating attack came in early November when 62 people were killed in a blast at Quetta railway station.
The Baloch Insurgency
The Baloch insurgency has simmered for decades, with separatist groups like the BLA demanding greater autonomy or outright independence from Pakistan. The conflict is rooted in historical grievances, including economic marginalization, resource exploitation, and political repression. Balochistan, despite being rich in natural resources, remains one of Pakistan’s most impoverished regions, fueling resentment and militant resistance.
The insurgents have targeted state infrastructure, military installations, and Chinese projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The attack on the Jaffar Express aligns with their broader strategy of disrupting key transportation and economic networks in the region.
So far, the Pakistani military hasn’t released an official statement about the BLA’s claims. Meanwhile, the provincial government has taken action—Shahid Rind, a government spokesperson, said hospitals in Sibi, the nearest city, were put on emergency alert to handle casualties. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi condemned the attack, calling the perpetrators “beasts” who don’t deserve any leniency.
What Do We Know About Recovered Passengers and Casualties?
According to railway official Rana Farrukh, about 70 passengers, including women, children, and the elderly, managed to reach Panir railway station, about 6 km from the attack site, after walking along the railway tracks. Security forces later rescued more than 50 other passengers, bringing the known number of safe passengers to 127.
To evacuate them, officials used a special freight train to transport the rescued passengers to Mach station, 65 km from Quetta and about 90 km from the attack site. Once at Mach, passengers received food and medical assistance. Authorities plan to bring them to Quetta by Wednesday.
What Are the BLA’s Demands?
The BLA says it still holds over 200 captives, mostly security personnel. They have issued a 48-hour ultimatum, demanding the unconditional release of Baloch political prisoners, forcibly disappeared persons, and national resistance activists.
So far, neither the government nor the military has made an official statement in response to these demands.
Who Has Been Killed?
Security sources say they have killed 27 BLA fighters so far. However, at least 10 passengers, including the train’s driver, were also killed by the attackers.
The condition of the remaining hostages is unclear. Security forces claim the militants are using women and children as human shields, complicating any military response.
How Uncommon Is This Attack?
The Jaffar Express has been a frequent target of Baloch separatists over the years. Covering more than 1,600 km (995 miles) from Punjab to Peshawar, the train is often used by security personnel from Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The last big attack on the Jaffar Express happened in November 2023 when a suicide bomber hit Quetta’s train station just as passengers were preparing to leave. The BLA claimed responsibility for that attack, which killed at least 30 people.
In August 2024, a bomb attack on the tracks in Balochistan halted Jaffar Express operations for two months. Another bombing in January 2023 near Bolan injured at least 13 passengers.
However, this is the first time that Baloch fighters or any armed group have taken over an entire train in Pakistan.
Train hijackings are rare worldwide too. One of the most infamous cases was in 1923 when Chinese bandits hijacked a luxury train for 37 days, holding 300 passengers hostage. The Netherlands also saw train hijackings in the 1970s by Moluccan nationalists. In 2009, more than 300 Maoist rebels hijacked a train in India as it traveled from West Bengal to New Delhi.
How Has the BLA Upgraded Its Capabilities?
Experts believe the BLA’s increasing strength is a sign of the government’s failure to effectively counter the insurgency.
Malik Siraj Akbar, a Balochistan specialist based in Washington, D.C., says the BLA has shifted from smaller attacks – like targeting individuals or sabotaging pipelines – to large-scale operations.
“The group now undertakes major attacks, like the recent assault on a passenger train. This shift reflects both its increasing audacity and its confidence that the government lacks the capability to contain them, let alone pursue them effectively after such high-profile acts of terrorism,” Akbar stated.
Political analyst Rafiullah Kakar says the BLA has strengthened its command structure, giving field operatives more control over attacks.
Additionally, access to advanced weapons, including some reportedly left behind by U.S. forces in Afghanistan, has increased the group’s firepower, making their attacks more sophisticated and deadly, Kakar added.
Why hasn’t the state been able to stop the BLA’s rise?
Back in January, the Islamabad-based think tank Pak Institute For Peace Studies (PIPS) flagged the situation in Balochistan as “alarming.” Their report showed a staggering 119% rise in attacks, with over 150 incidents recorded last year.
The government had announced plans for a large-scale military operation in the province, but so far, it hasn’t materialized.
Malik Siraj Akbar, a Balochistan expert, believes that even when the state does crack down after such attacks, it often ends up targeting innocent Baloch civilians rather than the actual militants.
Another major challenge?
The military is at a disadvantage when it comes to fighting in Balochistan.
“The BLA knows the terrain like the back of their hand, while security forces—who mostly come from Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa—are unfamiliar with the land and its routes. This gives the insurgents a huge edge,” Akbar explained. On top of that, poor intelligence gathering makes it even harder for the state to stay ahead of the militants.
Can the government stop the BLA from gaining ground?
Rafiullah Kakar, a political analyst and doctoral researcher at the University of Cambridge, believes the root of the problem goes beyond just intelligence failures, it’s about the growing disconnect between the state and the Baloch people.
“Over the past decade, Balochistan has become a testing ground for political experiments controlled by the military. The province has had six different chief ministers in 10 years – excluding caretaker setups,” he said. This constant instability has weakened democracy and left the Baloch people feeling even more alienated.
And who benefits from this? The insurgents. Kakar says the worsening disconnect has made it easier for groups like the BLA to recruit young men who are willing to carry out deadly missions.
Akbar agrees. He argues that the government refuses to treat the Baloch people with dignity, instead relying on a provincial administration that serves as little more than a mouthpiece for the military. “Islamabad wants to convince the world that everything is fine in Balochistan, but the reality is far from it,” he said.
The Last Bit
The train hijacking marks a new level of boldness in the Baloch insurgency, raising concerns over Pakistan’s ability to secure its critical transport networks. The government faces the dual challenge of quelling militancy while addressing the root causes of Baloch grievances. With the region already experiencing a surge in violence, further escalations could destabilize Pakistan’s fragile security situation even further.
As Pakistan struggles with these persistent challenges, can military crackdowns alone bring peace, or will a more inclusive political and economic approach be required to address the long-standing demands of the Baloch people?
