Balochistan Militants Hijack Jaffar Express Train In Pakistan, Take 182 Hostages; 20 Army Men Killed

In a statement, the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a militant separatist group, claimed responsibility for the attack and said they had taken hostages from the train, including security forces.

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“The Baloch Liberation Army has carried out a meticulously planned operation in Mashkaf, Dhadar, Bolan, where 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," it said.

The militants said six military personnel were killed in the attack, and hundreds of passengers remained under BLA custody. It warned of executing all passengers if Pakistan attempted any military operation.

“This operation is being conducted jointly by the Majeed Brigade, STOS, and Fateh Squad —specialized units of the BLA. Any military incursion will be met with an equally forceful response," they added.

A train driver was allegedly injured in the firing on Tuesday, according to police and railway officials. The train was on its way to Peshawar from Quetta when it was fired upon.

100 Security Personnel In BLA’s Captivity

In another statement, the BLA said it “completely repelled" the Pakistani military’s ground assault following the Jaffar Express attack, as Pakistani forces were “forced to retreat" after intense clashes with the militants. However, the Army has started conducting airstrikes and drone attacks.

The BLA warned that if the aerial bombardment was not halted immediately, all hostages would

be executed “within the next hour", adding that any further military action would have “catastrophic consequences". Pakistani political analyst Amjad Ayub Mirza told CNN News-18 that the Pakistan Army’s first attempt to rescue operations failed miserably.

Security forces told Reuters that an explosion had been heard near the tunnel and that they were exchanging fire with the militants in a mountainous area.

“Over 100 enemy personnel remain in BLA custody. The occupying forces still have a chance to cease airstrikes and save their men, or else the Pakistani military will bear full responsibility for the execution of all hostages," said BLA spokesperson Jeeyend Baloch.

Civilian Passengers Released

In a follow-up statement, the BLA said the group has taken 182 hostages, including military personnel, but all civilian passengers – including women, children, the elderly and the Baloch citizens – have been released safely and given a secure route.

A total of 20 Pakistani security personnel have been killed in intense clashes, and a drone was shot down. Among the hostages are active-duty personnel from the Pakistani Army, police, ISI and ATIF, all of whom were travelling on leave. The BLA threatened to execute all hostages if military intervention continued.

Pakistani journalist Wajahat Kazmi said that security forces had confirmed an intense and tough battle between BLA militants and Pakistani security forces near the Jaffar Express train. The Jaffar Express train is held hostage under a tunnel, which makes the operation very complex, he said.

Rescue Efforts Underway

Rescue teams and security forces have reached the scene, and an operation is underway to track down the militants. An emergency relief team has been dispatched to assist the train driver who sustained serious injuries in the attack, according to The Express Tribune.

Controller Railways Muhammad Kashif said that the train, comprising nine coaches, had around 500 passengers on board. “The train was stopped by armed men in Tunnel No 8. Efforts are being made to contact the passengers and staff," he told Dawn.

An emergency was imposed at the Sibi Hospital in the wake of the attack. Officials were facing difficulties in reaching the site of the attack due to the rocky terrain, according to the Balochistan government spokesperson.

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi condemned the incident and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured in the firing. “The beasts who fire on innocent passengers do not deserve any concessions," he said in a statement.

Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar, in a statement, strongly condemned the incident, saying that “passengers were injured due to the firing."

The railway department has sent more trains to the site to provide rescue and “emergency measures" have been activated by the provincial government. The spokesperson urged the public to remain calm.

Notably, Pakistan had announced the restoration between Quetta and Peshawar in October after an over month-long suspension following an uptick in terror attacks.

Terrorist Attacks in Balochistan

Terrorist attacks in Pakistan’s restive Balochistan province have increased in recent months, as separatist movements have been fighting for increased autonomy and the recognition of Baloch people’s rights. Pakistan’s Army has responded by launching counter-insurgency operations which have been criticised for excessive use of force.

The BLA carried out 302 attacks last year, resulting in over 580 deaths and 370 injuries, according to a report by The Balochistan Post. Other groups like Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF), and Baloch Raaji Aajoi Sangar (BRAS) also launched hundreds of attacks that cumulatively caused over 1,000 deaths in 2024.

In November 2024, the BLA claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing at Quetta’s main railway station that killed 26 people, including 14 soldiers.