Summary:
- Separatist group BLA hijacked a train with 400+ passengers in Pakistan’s Balochistan, taking hostages including security personnel.
- The attack occurred on the Quetta-Peshawar route, which had recently resumed operations after a prior BLA attack halted services for two months.
- BLA claimed responsibility, reported killing six military personnel, and warned against rescue operations while citing rising recruitment and operational capabilities.
- Balochistan faces escalating violence with 150+ attacks in 2024 (119% annual increase), including recent killings of 18 soldiers in Kalat city.
Separatist fighters attacked and seized a train in Pakistan’s southwestern province of Balochistan on Tuesday, taking hundreds of passengers hostage. The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attack on the Jaffar Express, which was traveling from Quetta to Peshawar.
Railway sources confirmed to Al Jazeera that more than 400 passengers were on board the nine-coach train when it was attacked. Provincial spokesperson Shahid Rind reported that an emergency had been declared at a major hospital in Sibi city, 160km southeast of Quetta, following reports of “intense firing” at the train.
In a statement, the BLA claimed to have killed six military personnel and warned of retaliation if security forces attempted an operation. The group also stated that security personnel were among those taken hostage. Pakistan’s military has not yet commented on the situation.
The attack occurred on the 1,600km train journey from Quetta to Peshawar, which typically takes over 30 hours to complete with more than 30 stops. This train service had only recently resumed in October after a two-month halt due to a previous BLA-claimed attack on the track in Balochistan.
Balochistan, a mineral-rich province, has been the site of a decades-long conflict between the government and ethnic Baloch separatists demanding secession from Pakistan. The region has also seen attacks against Chinese interests and nationals working on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor projects, a $62 billion development initiative.
A recent security report by the Islamabad-based Pak Institute of Peace Studies (PIPS) described the situation in Balochistan as “alarming,” noting a 119 percent increase in attacks last year compared to the previous year, with over 150 incidents recorded.
Security analyst Muhammad Shoaib told Al Jazeera that BLA attacks have not only increased in number but also in “lethality.” He explained, “The organisation has gained strength over the past few years. It has enhanced its capability on many fronts: propaganda, recruitment, target selection, intelligence and adaptability.”
Shoaib added that the BLA has effectively used social media to spread its message and attract educated youth, stating, “Put simply, it has learnt the art of staying in the news and keeping state apparatus engaged in multiple fronts.” He also noted signs of increased recruitment, allowing the group to dedicate more resources to operations.
This latest attack follows a deadly incident last month in Balochistan’s Kalat city, where at least 18 soldiers were killed in a BLA attack. As the situation continues to develop, authorities are expected to provide further updates on the train hijacking and hostage situation.
