Islamabad: The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a militant group, on Tuesday claimed responsibility for hijacking Jaffar Express, a passenger train operated by Pakistan Railways, and holding all 214 passengers hostage in Balochistan. The militant group issued a statement claiming that they had taken control of the train and said 30 military personnel were killed, while over 214 passengers have been taken hostage. However, the Balochistan Police has rejected the claimes made by the BLA.
Meanwhile, the BLA, in its latest statement, claimed that its planned military strategy and aggressive advances forced the Pak forces to retrreat. Moreover, it has given a 48-hour ultimaturm to Pakistan to release all Baloch political prisoners in exchange of the freeing the hostages.
The BLA said, "Under the rules of war, these 214 hostages are considered prisoners of war and BLA is prepared for a prisoner exchange. The occupying state of Pakistan is given 48 hours to immediately and unconditionally release Baloch political prisoners, forcibly disappeared persons and national resistance activists. "
BLA Issues official statement
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has seized the Jaffar Express and taken all the passengers hostage. BLA spokesperson said that the operation is being carried out by the BLA Majeed Brigade Fateh Squad and STOS.
How was the incident unfolded
The incident was reported when the Jaffar Express was travelling from Quetta in Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province to Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The BLA in a statement said its fighters carried out a "meticulously planned operation" 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 group stated in a statement.
BLA group issues stern warning
The BLA group issued a stern warning and said, "If the occupying forces attempt any military operation, the consequences will be severe. All hundreds of hostages will be executed, and the responsibility for this bloodshed will lie solely with the occupying forces."
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), the militant separatist group that seeks autonomy for the region said that the hostages included Pakistani military personnel and members of other security agencies.
BLA claims responsibility of Jaffar Express attack
The BLA also accepted responsibility of Jaffar Express, and threatened not to start any military operation against them. The BLA militants further claimed in a statement that they have released women, children, and Baloch passengers, ensuring that all remaining hostages are serving personnel of the Pakistani forces.
However, the Baloch officials or the railway officials are yet to confirm the casualties and the status of the hostages.
In the meantime, the provincial government has imposed restrictions and all institutions have been mobilised to deal with the situation, government spokesperson Shahid Rind said. The railways stated that more security forces had reached the site of the incident.
Emergency measures imposed in sensitive areas
In the meantime, the government in Pakistan's Balochistan province on Tuesday directed local authorities to take emergency measures after insurgents opened fire at a passenger train, wounding the driver and prompting security guards aboard the train to fire back.
A provincial government statement said an emergency was imposed at Sibi hospital and ambulances and security forces were on their way to the site. Rind said the officials were facing difficulties in reaching the site due to the rocky terrain.
Balochistan has witnessed an uptick in terrorist attacks over the past year. In November 2024, at least 26 people were killed and 62 injured after a suicide blast ripped through a Quetta Railway Station.
The oil and mineral-rich Balochistan is Pakistan's largest but least populated province. It is a hub for the country's ethnic Baloch minority whose members say they face discrimination and exploitation by the central government.