Quetta: A deadly attack on the Jaffar Express in Pakistan’s volatile Balochistan province has left at least 27 militants dead, with 155 passengers rescued by security forces, according to government sources. The attack, carried out by separatist militants of the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), took place on Tuesday as the train traveled from Quetta to Peshawar.
The militants, who claimed responsibility for the attack, reportedly seized control of the train after blowing up the railway tracks, trapping the train inside a tunnel. They then opened fire on security personnel, leading to a prolonged exchange of gunfire. In a shocking escalation, the BLA took 214 passengers hostage, including active-duty security personnel, and issued a 48-hour ultimatum demanding the release of Baloch political prisoners, activists, and missing persons allegedly abducted by the Pakistani military.
Despite the intense standoff, Pakistani security forces have managed to free 155 hostages in a series of rescue operations, but dozens remain in militant custody. According to intelligence sources, the militants have positioned suicide bombers alongside some hostages, raising fears of mass casualties if negotiations or rescue efforts fail.
The Jaffar Express, carrying approximately 500 passengers, was en route from Quetta to Peshawar when it was targeted near the Mushqaf area of the Bolan district. The attackers, armed with automatic rifles and explosives, derailed the train by detonating a device on the railway tracks, forcing the train to a halt inside a tunnel. Gunmen then stormed the train, killing the driver and multiple passengers before taking control of the compartments.
Eyewitness accounts describe scenes of terror as militants moved through the train, separating security personnel from civilian passengers. Many passengers, including women and children, were forced out of the train and taken to an undisclosed location in the nearby mountainous terrain.
The attack triggered an immediate response from Pakistan’s security forces, who engaged the militants in a fierce gun battle that lasted several hours. According to military sources, 27 militants have been killed so far, and the operation to secure the remaining hostages is ongoing.
The BLA has claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that they will begin executing hostages if their demands are not met within 48 hours. In an official statement, the group declared:
“We are ready to release the captured passengers of the Jaffar Express if the Pakistani government agrees to free our political prisoners, activists, and missing persons who have been abducted by the military.”
Security analysts say that the demands align with the BLA’s long-standing grievances against the Pakistani state, which they accuse of exploiting Balochistan’s rich natural resources while suppressing local autonomy movements. The BLA has been designated a terrorist organization by both Pakistan and the United States, and its insurgency has intensified in recent years, targeting military installations, government officials, and Chinese interests in the region.
Reports indicate that some of the hostages have been taken deep into the mountainous regions of Balochistan, making rescue operations extremely difficult. Intelligence sources have confirmed that the militants have positioned suicide bombers among the hostages, further complicating the crisis.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, condemned the attack and praised the security forces for their swift response. In a public statement, he asserted:
“The beastly terrorists who carried out this cowardly attack do not deserve any concession. Terrorists are the enemies of Balochistan’s development, and we will continue the war against terrorism until it is completely eradicated from our country.”
Pakistan’s Interior Minister, Mohsin Naqvi, also condemned the attack, calling the militants “beasts” for targeting innocent passengers. In response to the crisis, the Balochistan government has implemented emergency measures, deploying additional security personnel to the region and setting up an emergency information desk at Quetta Railway Station to assist affected families.
A relief train has also been dispatched to transport rescued passengers to safety, while security forces continue to hunt down the remaining militants. Reports suggest that some of the hostages have been moved to remote hideouts, making retrieval efforts even more challenging.
The United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has strongly condemned the attack and called for the immediate release of hostages. UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric stated:
“We strongly urge the attackers to release all innocent civilians unharmed and call upon the authorities to take all necessary measures to protect civilians and restore security.”
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also expressed his condemnation, describing the attack as a cowardly act against innocent citizens.
The ongoing hostage crisis has raised concerns over the security situation in Balochistan, which has long been a hotspot for separatist violence. The region, rich in natural resources, has seen increasing militant activity in recent months, with groups like the BLA targeting infrastructure, security forces, and foreign investments.
As of Wednesday morning, the Pakistani military has intensified its operations to free the remaining hostages. Armed forces have been deployed in large numbers, with air surveillance being used to track militant movements in the rugged terrain.
According to military sources, troops have been engaged in firefights with insurgents in multiple locations, attempting to cut off their escape routes. Despite challenging conditions, security forces have made progress, with officials confirming the rescue of an additional 51 hostages overnight.
The total number of passengers rescued now stands at 155, though dozens remain in militant custody. The situation remains fluid, with security officials warning that the risk of further violence is high if the militants follow through on their threats.
With the 48-hour ultimatum still in place, the Pakistani government faces a difficult choice—whether to negotiate with the BLA or risk further bloodshed through military action. Given the group’s history of violent insurgency, experts believe that the government is unlikely to meet their demands.
However, the presence of hostages complicates military efforts. Any aggressive move could lead to mass executions, making negotiations or a carefully executed rescue mission the only viable options.
As rescue operations continue, the families of those still held captive wait anxiously for news, hoping for a swift and safe resolution to one of the deadliest train attacks in Pakistan’s recent history.
