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Last Updated:March 12, 2025, 15:42 IST
Pakistan Train Hijack LIVE Updates: The Jaffar Express train, with some 400 passengers on board, was on its way from Quetta in Pakistan to Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has been responsible for several terrorist attacks in Balochistan. (Reuters/File)
Pakistan Train Hijack LIVE: In a major escalation of separatist conflict in Pakistan, militants in Balochistan province attacked a Peshawar-bound train on Tuesday, taking nearly 450 passengers hostage, including women and children.
In a statement, the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a militant separatist group, claimed responsibility for the hostage crisis and said they had taken hostages from the train, including security forces. More than 30 military personnel were killed in the attack, the militant group said.
“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 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. Rescue teams and security forces have reached the scene, and an operation is underway to track down the militants.
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Pakistan Train Hijack LIVE Updates: What's Slowing Down Jaffar Express Rescue Ops, What Do Baloch Militants Want?
It’s been 25 hours since Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) insurgents stopped a long-distance train in a rugged, mountainous area south of Quetta and took passengers hostage and 157 passengers out of over 400 have been rescued so far. Though the Pakistani security forces on Wednesday afternoon launched a “full-scale” military operation to rescue the remaining hostages, it’s taking them too long to make headway. READ FULL ARTICLE HERE
Pakistan Train Hijack LIVE Updates: Blast Targeting Jaffar Express In Balochistan Train Hijacking Caught On Cam?
Hours after suspected Baloch gunmen opened fire at the Jaffar Express train in Pakistan’s restive Balochistan on Tuesday, some pro-Balochistan groups have widely shared a video claiming to show the visuals of the attack and seizure of the train. READ MORE
Pakistan Train Hijack LIVE Updates: What Are The Demands Of The Militant Group BLA?
Ethnic armed group Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), which has claimed responsibility for the attack, has demanded the release of Baloch political prisoners, activists, and missing persons who it says were abducted by the military, within 48 hours.
Pakistan Train Hijack LIVE Updates: Dozens Held Hostage
While rescue operations are still underway, dozens of passengers are still held hostage.
Pakistan Train Hijack LIVE Updates: Rescue Ops Become Difficult
Rescue operations became difficult as attackers were sitting next to passengers wearing suicide bombs.
The government said a security operation was under way to free dozens still held hostage, without specifying the exact number.
Pakistan Train Hijack LIVE Updates: Bilawal Bhutto Condemns Attack, Says 'Terrorists Biggest Threat To Country'
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has condemned the train attack incident. According to Geo TV, PPP’s chief Bilawal Bhutto said, “Terrorists are the biggest threat to Pakistan. Targeting innocent citizens by terrorists is a coward act.”
Pakistan Train Hijack LIVE Updates: Pakistani Security Forces Exchanged Gunfire
Pakistani security forces exchanged gunfire on Wednesday with hundreds of separatist militants as they sought to free about 300 hostages aboard a train.
Security forces were being cautious as officials said the hostages were surrounded by militants wearing vests loaded with explosives.
Pakistan Train Hijack LIVE Updates: Pakistani Forces Launches 'Full-Scale' Rescue Ops
Pakistani security forces on Wednesday launched a “full-scale” operation on to rescue the remaining passengers taken hostage by militants, news agency AFP reported.
Pakistan Train Hijack: 157 Hostages Rescued So Far
A total of 157 hostages were saved hours after the militants hijacked the Jaffar Express train.
Pakistan Train Hijack: 155 Hostages Freed, 27 Militants Killed
155 hostages freed, 27 militants killed in Pakistan train siege, security sources were quoted by AFP.
Pakistan Train Hijack: Why Balochistan Has Become The Talking Point?
Balochistan is key to both Pakistan and China. It is an integral part of the CPEC. The region houses key mining projects.
Notably, China also operates a gold and copper mine in the province.
Balochistan has been facing insurgency for several decades and the province is one of the most unstable.
Pakistan Train Hijack: Who Are The Baloch Liberation Army?
The BLA is one of the strongest insurgent groups operating out of Balochistan and one of its key demands has been to carve out a separate Baloch state out of Pakistan.
The group has gained strength in the past couple of years as Pakistan faced economic and political uncertainty.
Pakistan Train Hijack: How BLA Militants Took Over Jaffar Express
The attackers, identified as members of the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), blew up the railway track, forcing the train to stop in a remote area. They then boarded the train and took control. READ MORE
Pakistan Train Hijack: 'People Began Hiding Under Seats,' Says Rescued Passenger
A passenger named Allahditta recalled the situation in Jaffar Express at the time of hijack told AFP, “People began hiding under the seats in panic. The militants separated the men from the women.”
The militant allowed him and his family to go as he was a heart patient.
Pakistan Train Hijack: Some Hostages Taken Into Mountains
The militants have reportedly taken some of the hostage passengers into the mountains with the security forces, PTI reported.
Pakistan Train Hijack: Gunmen Open Fire On Train, Several Passengers Injured
Suspected Baloch gunmen opened fire at a train in Pakistan’s restive Balochistan on Tuesday, injuring several passengers.
Jaffar Express was on its way from Quetta to Peshawar in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa when it was fired upon between Gudalaar and Piru Koneri in a tunnel, according to officials.
Pakistan Train Hijack: 16 Militants Killed, Says Officials
At least 16 militants involved in the Pakistan train hijack have been killed, said security officials.
Pakistan Train Hijack: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres Condemns Attack
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the attack and called for the immediate release of the hostages, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric was quoted by AP as saying.
Pakistan Train Hijack: Pak Security Forces Rescue 80 Passengers, Says Govt Spokesperson
Pakistan security forces rescued around 80 passengers after Baloch militants hijacked a train in the Balochistan province, according to the government spokesperson. However, the Baloch Liberation Army said it had released civilian hostages.
Pakistan Train Hijack Live Updates: Who Are The Baloch Liberation Army And Why They Want A Separate Nation?
Pakistani separatist militant group Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for attacking a train in southwestern Pakistan on Tuesday and said they have taken scores of hostages, including security personnel who were on the train on leave and threatened to kill them.
The BLA is one of the strongest insurgent groups operating out of Balochistan and one of its key demands has been to carve out a separate Baloch state out of Pakistan. It is active in the area bordering Afghanistan and Iran, a mineral-rich region that is home to Beijing’s investment in Gwadar deep water port and other key projects, like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Pakistan Train Hijack: 'Pak Army May Kill Several Civilians', Says Retired Indian Army Officer
Major Gen GD Bakshi (Retd), while speaking to ANI, said the Pakistan Army has a style of showing off by bringing in artillery and said the military may end up killing several civilians in its attempt to rescue hostages from the Jaffar Express train captured by BLA militants.
“These are precision operations which our NSG carries out very well, but the Pak Army has a style to show off and bring major artillery. I think that the Pakistan army will carry out a ham-handed operation which may kill many civilians,” he said. ” I think the time for the birth of Balochistan has come.”
Pakistan Train Hijack: 'Balochistan Out Of Pak's Control', Says Major Gen GD Bakshi
Reacting to the train attack in Balochistan, Major General (retd) GD Bakshi cast doubt on the Pakistani Army’s ability to rescue hostages without casualties and said that Balochistan was “out of control of Pakistan” due to a rise in militant attacks.
“There is a demoralisation in the Pakistan Army. The train hijack in Balochistan is very significant. A train has 450-500 people, and they have taken them as hostages,” he told ANI. “Hostage rescue is a very delicate operation. I don’t think that the Pakistan Army could carry out such operations without casualties.”
Pakistan Train Hijack Live Updates: Pakistan's All-Powerful Military In Big Trouble
Pakistan’s military establishment is facing a gigantic crisis after Baloch separatist militants captured the Jaffar Express train in Balochistan. The latest statement by the BLA indicate that a large number of Army personnel have been killed fighting the militants as they struggle to rescue hostages.
The BLA has given a 48-hour ultimatum for a prisoner exchange, which may be too short for the Army, risking the lives of more than 200 security personnel. Baloch activist Mama Qadir Baloch told CNN-News18 that all Army personnel fighting the rebels have been killed.
Pakistan Train Hijack Live Updates: BLA Sets 48-Hour Deadline, Demands Prisoner Swap For 214 Hostages
Pakistani separatist militant group Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) issued a fresh deadline to the Pakistani government on Tuesday demanding the release of Baloch political prisoners in exchange for the 214 hostages it is holding.
In its newly released statement, it called the Pakistani government an “occupying state” and listed its demands. “BLA has maintained complete control of the train and all hostages for the past eight hours. 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,” the statement said.
Pakistan Train Hijack Live Updates: Around 150 Military Personnel Killed By BLA, Says Baloch Activist Mama Qadeer To News18
The separatist Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) on Tuesday attacked and took control of a train in Pakistan, holding 182 passengers hostage. In an exclusive conversation with CNN-News18, Balochistan activist Mama Qadeer Baloch claimed that around 150 military personnel travelling by the Jaffar Express were killed by the militants during the operation.
“BLA has made several similar attempts in their bid for independence. They have taken many people captive in the past too,” he said. “They learnt that many army personnel on leave for Eid were travelling by this train. They were separated from the others and then killed. Around 150 soldiers were killed…This is the biggest such operation of its kind.”
Pakistan Train Hijack: BLA Demands Release Of Baloch Activists, Gives 48-Hour Ultimatum
The BLA said they have maintained complete control of the Jaffar Express train and all 214 hostages, saying it 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,” the group said in a statement.
The 214 hostages comprised Pakistani personnel, including military, paramilitary, police and intelligence officers. The BLA threatened to “neutralise” all captives and destroy the train if the demands were not met.
Pakistan Train Hijack Live Updates: 214 People Held Captive By BLA, Over 30 Army Personnel Killed
In another statement, the BLA said that more than 30 Pakistani security personnel were killed in clashes and 214 people were being held captive as “prisoners of war”. The militants said their “planned military strategy and aggressive advances” forced Pakistani troops to retreat after eight hours of fighting.
Pakistan Train Hijack Live Updates: Militants Took 35 Hostages, Says Local Police
Offering a marginally diminished figure, local police in Balochistan said the BLA militants have taken only 35 passengers hostage after attacking a train in southwestern Pakistan, and nearly 350 other passengers are believed to be safe.
The Baloch Liberation Army, a separatist militant group, said they had 182 hostages in total and threatened to kill them if security forces did not leave the area.
Pakistan Train Hijack Live Updates: Nearly 350 People Believed To Be Safe
Nearly 350 passengers are believed to be safe after the train attack in Balochistan, according to the local police. The BLA had released civilian hostages from the Jaffar Express train, while keeping military personnel captive.
“Around 350 passengers, including women and children are saved and a relief train will be reaching the area where the train was attacked,” a district senior police officer, Rana Dilawar, told Reuters.
Pakistan Train Hijack Live Updates: Rescue Operations Still Underway
Rescue operations continue as BLA militants engaged in intense clashes with the Pakistan Army after capturing a Peshawar-bound train earlier today. After eight hours of the hijacking, Pakistan’s military is yet to rescue any hostage or push back the militants.
Pakistan Train Hijack Live Updates: How Many People Were Killed In Terrorist Attacks In Pakistan Last Year?
More than 1,600 people were killed in attacks in Pakistan in 2024 – the deadliest year in almost a decade – according to the Center for Research and Security Studies, an Islamabad-based analysis group.
In November, the BLA claimed responsibility for a bombing at Quetta’s main railway station that killed 26 people, including 14 soldiers. They also killed seven ethnic Punjabi travellers in February.
Pakistan Train Hijack Live Updates: Among Hostages, Four Are Pak Govt Officials, Peshawar Residents
Tariq Mahmood, the person in charge of Peshawar Railway Station’s emergency counter set up for the Jaffar Express train attack, told Dawn that four people being held aboard the train were government officials and residents of Peshawar.
Pakistan Train Hijack Live Updates: 'Militants Using Women, Children As Human Shields', Say Pak Security Forces
Pakistan security sources told Geo News that BLA militants are using women and children as human shields, prompting forces to operate with extreme caution. The rescue operation was further complicated by the difficult terrain. The area has been cordoned off.
Pakistan Train Hijack Live Updates: Qadir Baloch Claims 150 Army Personnel Killed In Fighting With BLA
Abdul Qadir Baloch, a former parliamentarian in Pakistan, told CNN-News18 that at least 150 Pakistani military personnel have been killed while fighting BLA militants in a bid to rescue the 182 hostages trapped inside the Jaffar Express train in Balochistan.
Pakistan Train Hijack Live Updates: 'Terrorists Have No Affiliation With Islam', Says Security Sources
Security sources told Samaa TV that the BLA militants were in contact with their facilitators abroad and had taken hostages aboard the Jaffar Express. “Targeting innocent passengers proves that these terrorists have no affiliation with Islam, Pakistan, or Balochistan,” they said.
Pakistan Train Hijack Live Updates: Former President Arif Alvi Condemns 'Heinous, Cowardly' Attack
Former Pakistan President Arif Alvi condemned the “heinous and cowardly” attack on the Jaffar Express train in Balochistan on Tuesday. “On such matters, people of Pakistan have a united stand. This is where exactly, the undivided attention of the armed forces is required. We pray for the safety of the kidnapped citizens,” he said.
Pakistan Train Hijack Live Updates: No BLA Militant Injured Or Killed In Clashes With Pakistan Army So Far
In its latest statement, the BLA said that not a single BLA fighter has been injured or killed so far in what it called a “successful operation” by capturing the Jaffar Express train. However, it has inflicted heavy casualties on the Pakistani security forces, killing 20 personnel.
Pakistan Train Hijack Live Updates: Train Driver Killed As Baloch Militants Clash With Pakistani Army
The driver of the Jaffar Express train, who was wounded during the attack by BLA militants, succumbed to serious injured that he sustained during the attack. The BLA had released all civilian hostages and is currently holding 182 people captive including military personnel.
Pakistan Train Hijack Live Updates: 20 Pakistani Military Personnel Killed By Baloch Rebels
An additional eight Pakistani military personnel were eliminated, bringing the total number of Army casualties to 20, said the Baloch Liberation Army in a new statement, as security forces struggle to reach the captured Jaffar Express train and rescue hostages.
Intense clashes between the militants and security forces continue without a single BLA casualty so far. BLA fighters are now using “anti-aircraft artillery and inflicting severe losses on the enemy”.
Pakistan Train Hijack Live Updates: Hostages Yet To Be Rescued After 6 Hours
In an embarrassment for the Pakistan Army, it has been unable to rescue hostages from the Jaffar Express train captured by Baloch rebels in Balochistan after around six hours of the attack. Most of the hostages are active-duty Pakistani military personnel and officials who were travelling on leave.
