Pakistan Train Hijack: On Tuesday, 11th March, Baloch rebels launched a daring attack on the Jaffar Express, a key passenger train traveling from Quetta to Peshawar. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) took responsibility for hijacking the train, escalating tensions in Balochistan as the rebels fired on the train and blew up tracks, forcing it to a halt.
Baloch Rebels Hijack Jaffar Express: Militants Kill 16, Hundreds of Passengers Rescued, Hostages’ Lives in Danger
In a shocking attack on Tuesday, 11th March, separatist militants hijacked the Jaffar Express, a passenger train with around 500 people on board, in Balochistan, southwestern Pakistan. The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility, alleging they derailed the train, killed 30 security personnel, and took 214 passengers, including soldiers, as hostages.
However, local police reports suggest only 35 hostages were taken, while nearly 350 others were safely rescued. Security forces responded quickly, killing 16 militants and freeing 104 passengers. Despite this, the fate of the remaining hostages is still unclear, raising fears of a dangerous escalation in Balochistan’s already unstable environment.
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has issued a chilling ultimatum, warning that all hostages will be executed if Pakistani forces launch an operation against them. While media outlets report that over 400 passengers are being held, the BLA insists that it has taken around 100 hostages, including both military personnel and civilians.
Pakistan Train Hijack: Baloch Liberation Army Threatens Hostages’ Lives Amid Tensions in Balochistan – Will Pakistan Launch Military Action?
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has issued a chilling ultimatum, warning that all hostages will be executed if Pakistani forces launch an operation against them. While media outlets report that over 400 passengers are being held, the BLA insists that it has taken around 100 hostages, including both military personnel and civilians.
In a statement, BLA spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch confirmed the group’s responsibility for the hijacking, saying, “Any military incursion will be met with an equally forceful response. So far, six military personnel have been killed, and hundreds of passengers remain under BLA custody.” He further added that women, children, and Baloch passengers were released, ensuring that only “serving personnel of the occupying forces” remain in their control. The BLA also emphasized that the operation was carried out by the BLA Majeed Brigade Fateh Squad and STOS(Special Tactical Operations Squad), asserting their growing military power.
The situation in Balochistan is now at a breaking point, with escalating fears about the safety of the remaining hostages and growing concerns that a military operation could lead to a catastrophic escalation. The world is watching closely to see if Pakistan will take decisive action or if the BLA’s threats will lead to further violence and instability in the region.
Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif Condemns Balochistan Train Hijacking – Hostages Taken by BLA Militants
In a shocking attack on 11th March, Baloch militants hijacked the Jaffar Express, taking 400 passengers hostage. Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, condemned the attack, assuring the nation that security forces were taking immediate action to free the hostages. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also expressed strong disapproval, calling the militants “beasts” for targeting innocent civilians in the attack.
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for the hijacking, citing the exploitation of Balochistan’s resources as a driving factor for their actions. The BLA’s spokesperson stated that they would kill the hostages if Pakistan launched a military operation against them.
In light of the attack, the Balochistan government declared an emergency and initiated efforts to rescue the hostages. Security forces have been engaged in an intense exchange of fire with the militants to resolve the standoff.
The insurgency in Balochistan, led by groups like the BLA, has been a long-standing issue for Pakistan, with separatists accusing the government of exploiting the region’s rich natural resources without benefiting the local population. This hijacking highlights the ongoing unrest and the mounting pressure on Pakistan’s security forces to restore order.
As tensions rise, the world waits to see whether Pakistan will escalate military action to resolve the hostage crisis, or if the BLA’s threats will result in further violence.
