In a dramatic escalation of the Balochistan conflict, the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has hijacked the Jaffar Express, a passenger train operated by Pakistan Railways, and taken over 100 passengers hostage. The group, which has been fighting against the illegal occupation of Balochistan by Pakistan, claimed responsibility for the attack on March 11. According to a statement released by the BLA, its fighters killed six Pakistani military personnel during the operation. The hijacking occurred while the Jaffar Express was traveling from Quetta in Balochistan to Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The BLA, through its spokesperson, declared that the operation was conducted by its elite Majeed Brigade Fateh Squad and STOS. The group described the attack as a “meticulously planned operation” that took place in Mashkaf, Dhadar, Bolan.
“Our freedom fighters have blown up the railway track, forcing the Jaffar Express to come to a halt. The fighters swiftly took control of the train, holding all passengers hostage,” the BLA said in its statement. The group further warned that any attempt by Pakistani forces to launch a military operation to rescue the hostages would result in mass executions, holding the Pakistani government responsible for any bloodshed.
Despite the grave nature of the incident, Pakistani mainstream media outlets have significantly downplayed the hijacking. The Dawn newspaper reported the event under the headline, ‘Reports of firing on Peshawar-bound train prompts Balochistan govt to take ‘emergency measures’, making no direct mention of the hostage crisis. Similarly, The Express Tribune framed the event as a simple armed attack, reporting ‘Gunmen attack Jaffer Express in Balochistan, several injured’, omitting key details about the train being hijacked and passengers being held captive.
The Baloch Liberation Army, a militant group fighting for Balochistan’s freedom has long engaged in armed resistance against Pakistani occupation, has intensified its operations in recent years. The attack on the Jaffar Express marks one of the most high-profile actions by the group.
