In a shocking escalation of separatist violence, the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) hijacked a passenger train in Pakistan’s Balochistan province, taking over 400 passengers hostage. The Jaffar Express, traveling from Quetta to Peshawar, was attacked as militants blew up railway tracks, forcing the train to stop. Heavily armed fighters then stormed the carriages, killing six Pakistani military personnel, according to a statement by BLA spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch. The group has issued a chilling warning that any attempt by Pakistani forces to intervene will lead to the execution of hostages.

Security forces rushed to the scene in the remote Mushqaf area of the Bolan district, as the Balochistan government declared emergency measures to tackle the crisis. Government spokesperson Shahid Rind confirmed that all relevant institutions were mobilized, but the rugged terrain and the militants’ stronghold in the region pose serious challenges. The BLA, the most powerful insurgent group in the region, has been waging a decades-long battle against Islamabad, accusing the central government of exploiting Balochistan’s rich mineral resources without benefiting local communities. Attacks on Pakistani security forces, government installations, and Chinese projects in the province have intensified in recent years.

Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest but least populated province, holds immense strategic significance due to its vast reserves of gas and minerals and the deep-sea Gwadar port. However, it remains plagued by instability, with the BLA and other separatist groups frequently launching deadly attacks. While Islamabad insists that Balochistan is an integral part of Pakistan, separatist groups continue to push for independence, escalating tensions in the volatile region. As negotiations stall and violence persists, the hijacking of the Jaffar Express marks yet another grim chapter in Pakistan’s struggle to maintain control over its most turbulent province.