In a shocking escalation of violence, separatist militants in Pakistan’s Balochistan province claimed to have killed 50 hostages following the hijacking of a passenger train. The militants targeted the Jaffar Express on its route to Peshawar, sparking a massive security operation in the region.
Train Hijacking Sparks Crisis
The hijacking occurred on Tuesday when militants blew up a railway track and launched rocket attacks on the Jaffar Express, which was carrying over 400 passengers. According to government officials, 190 passengers have been rescued so far, but the fate of the remaining hostages remains unclear.
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), which claimed responsibility for the attack, stated that it had executed 50 hostages in retaliation for military operations in the region. They alleged that all those executed were security personnel, insisting that civilian hostages had already been released.
Deadly Confrontation with Security Forces
The hijacking took place in a remote mountainous area, complicating rescue efforts. Hundreds of troops, backed by helicopters, have been deployed to the site. According to officials, the train driver and several passengers were killed during the initial assault.
Authorities reported that all militants at the scene had been neutralized and described the rescue operation as being in its “final phase.” However, the BLA’s announcement of retaliatory executions has cast doubt on these claims.
Junior Interior Minister Talal Chaudhry revealed that the militants, numbering between 70 and 80, were equipped with suicide vests, making the rescue operation particularly challenging.
BLA’s Demands and Threats
The BLA demanded the release of Baloch political prisoners and activists within 48 hours, threatening to escalate executions if their deadline was not met or if military operations continued. The group, the largest of Balochistan’s ethnic armed factions, has long fought for greater control over the region’s mineral wealth and resources.
Families Plead for Action
At Quetta Railway Station, where some rescued passengers were reunited with their families, emotions ran high. A woman, whose son was still missing, confronted provincial minister Mir Zahoor Buledi, asking why authorities had failed to secure the railways.
Buledi assured reporters that efforts were underway to strengthen security across the region. Meanwhile, Pakistan Railways has suspended train services to and from Balochistan until the area is deemed safe by security forces.
Uncertainty Persists
The total number of hostages still held by the militants remains unconfirmed. While initial reports suggested that 214 people had been detained, including many security personnel, conflicting accounts have emerged regarding their status.
As families wait anxiously for news, the attack highlights the ongoing instability in Balochistan and the human cost of the region’s long-standing insurgency.
