Gunmen Take Control of Train in Balochistan, Injure Driver in Ongoing Siege
In a disturbing development on Tuesday, armed militants held more than 450 train passengers hostage in the southwestern province of Balochistan, Pakistan. The hostage situation, which occurred in a remote and mountainous area, has been claimed by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist group known for its growing violent activities in the region.
According to Muhammad Kashif, a senior railway official in Quetta, the capital of Balochistan, the militants took control of the train after wounding the driver. The siege took place near a rural area in Sibi district, where the train was supposed to make a scheduled stop. Kashif confirmed that the passengers, including women and children, are being held hostage by the gunmen.
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), which advocates for the independence of Balochistan, immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. In a statement issued to the media, the group stated that its militants had bombed the railway tracks before boarding the train. They further asserted that the militants swiftly took control of the train and took all the passengers as hostages.
The BLA also issued a stern warning, stating that there would be “severe consequences” if any attempt was made to rescue the hostages. The situation remains tense, with the militants demanding attention to their cause.
The train, known as the Jaffar Express, had departed from Quetta at around 9:00 am, heading toward Peshawar in northwestern Pakistan. The journey was set to take over 30 hours, but it was abruptly interrupted when the gunmen attacked around 1:00 pm (0800 GMT) near a city station in the Sibi district.
Local authorities reported that the train is stuck just before entering a tunnel surrounded by mountains, making it more difficult for security forces to approach the location. The area is known for its rugged terrain, which has historically provided safe hideouts for militants to plan and execute attacks.
In response to the crisis, emergency measures have been implemented at hospitals in Sibi, and security forces are working to resolve the situation. The train remains under the control of the militants as the authorities attempt to negotiate and safely free the hostages.
The attack highlights the ongoing insecurity in Balochistan, where separatist groups such as the BLA have been fighting for independence for years. They accuse the Pakistani government and foreign entities of exploiting the region’s rich natural resources, with little benefit to the local population.
The violence in Balochistan and along Pakistan’s western border with Afghanistan has intensified in recent years, especially after the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in 2021. This resurgence of militant activity has contributed to a sharp rise in violence across the region.
According to the Center for Research and Security Studies, more than 1,600 people were killed in violent attacks in Pakistan in 2024, marking the deadliest year in almost a decade. The BLA has been involved in numerous violent incidents, including the killing of seven Punjabi travelers in February 2024, who were ordered off a bus by militants. In another major attack, at least 39 people were killed in coordinated bombings targeting ethnic Punjabis.
In November 2023, the BLA also claimed responsibility for a deadly bombing at Quetta’s main railway station, which resulted in 26 deaths, including 14 soldiers.
As the hostage situation continues to unfold, authorities are under immense pressure to ensure the safety of the passengers and resolve the conflict with minimal loss of life. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing security challenges in the region and the complex geopolitical factors at play.
