Passenger Train Hijacked in Pakistan’s Balochistan

Image: AI Gene

A passenger train was hijacked in Pakistan’s Balochistan province on Tuesday, with around 500 passengers on board. The separatist group Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that six Pakistani military personnel were killed during the hijacking attempt. The group also claims to have taken over 100 passengers hostage, though the exact number remains unclear. The Pakistani government, led by Shehbaz Sharif, has not yet issued a statement, and the military has also remained silent on the matter.

The hijacked train was traveling from Quetta in southwestern Balochistan to Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa when it was attacked. According to Pakistan’s Dawn newspaper, railway controller Muhammad Kashif confirmed that the train, consisting of nine carriages, had around 500 passengers. It is still uncertain how many have been taken hostage. Reports suggest that women, children, and Baloch passengers have been released.

Train Stopped Inside a Tunnel

Media reports indicate that armed men have stopped the Jaffar Express at Tunnel 8 in Balochistan. The BLA, which has been fighting against the Pakistani government for a long time, stated in its declaration that the hostages include Pakistani military personnel and security agency members.

The BLA warned that if their demands are not met, the hostages could be harmed. They have claimed to have released women, children, and Baloch passengers, ensuring that only Pakistani military personnel remain as hostages. The group clarified that they have no intention of holding foreign nationals.

The long-standing conflict between Baloch separatists and the Pakistani government appears to have intensified with this hijacking. The BLA has been demanding autonomy for the region and has previously attacked Pakistani security forces and government installations. However, this is the first known case of a train hijacking by the group.