Pakistan: Baloch Militants Hijack Jaffar Express, BLA Claims 20 Deaths, 182 Hostages — What We Know So Far

Jaffar Express Hijack: Gunmen attacked the Jaffar Express in Pakistan's Balochistan province. The BLA claimed responsibility for the attack and issued a warning, demanding Pakistan to stop airstrikes.

By : ABP Live News | Updated at : 11 Mar 2025 11:32 PM (IST)

Pakistan Army deployed soldiers and medics to hijacked Jaffar Express Train in Balochistan. Purported visuals surfaced on social media.
Source : X/@RT_India_news

Jaffar Express Hijack: Unidentified gunmen opened fire on the Jaffar Express in Pakistan's restive Balochistan province on Tuesday, injuring multiple passengers, local media reported. The attack occurred near the Ab-e-Gum area of Mach Town in Balochistan’s Kachhi district, spreading panic among passengers.  As per BLA, it has taken 182 hostages and 20 deaths have occurred amid their operation.

According to The Express Tribune, six armed men opened fire on the train. Sources told Geo News that the assailants also blew up a railway track before opening fire. Security personnel onboard the train exchanged heavy gunfire with the attackers.  

Jaffar Express Hijack — What We Know So Far

Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind confirmed the incident, stating, "There are reports of intense firing at Jaffar Express, which was heading from Quetta to Peshawar, between Pehro Kunri and Gadalar," Dawn reported.  

Railway officials said the train's driver sustained serious injuries. An emergency relief train has been dispatched, but rescue efforts were delayed due to the difficult terrain. Controller Railways Muhammad Kashif stated 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 said, as per news agency PTI.  

The Balochistan provincial government directed local authorities to take "emergency measures," imposing an emergency at Sibi Hospital and dispatching ambulances and security forces to the site. However, officials are facing challenges reaching the location due to the rocky landscape, Geo News reported.  

BLA's Execution Warning As It Demands Pakistan To Stop Airstrikes

The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has since claimed responsibility for the attack and issued a chilling warning. In a statement, BLA spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch said, "The Baloch Liberation Army has completely repelled the Pakistani military's ground assault following the seizure of Jaffar Express. After intense clashes, Pakistani ground troops were forced to retreat, but airstrikes from helicopters and drones continue unabated."  

The statement further warned, "If the aerial bombardment is not halted immediately, all 100+ hostages will be executed within the next hour." The BLA claimed to have taken over 100 'enemy' personnel into custody, with its Majeed Brigade, STOS, Fatah Squad, and ZIRAB Unit fighters actively engaged in countermeasures.

"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," it read.  

In another statement, the BLA claimed that 182 people were taken hostage by their fighter and total 20 people have died in this operation. "After capturing the Jaffar Express, the fighters of the Baloch Liberation Army have taken 182 hostages who have been in our custody for the past six hours. During this operation, an additional eight Pakistani military personnel were eliminated, bringing the total number of enemy casualties to over 20", the BLA said in its statement, as per ANI.

The BLA also mentioned that its fighters are using anti-aircraft artillery against Pakistani Air Force. "Throughout the ongoing operation, intense confrontations have taken place with the Pakistani Air Force, with our fighters using anti-aircraft artillery and inflicting severe losses on the enemy. BLA fighters are continuously strengthening their positions, leading the operation and challenging the might of the Pakistani military."

According to UK-based Mirror, the BLA earlier stated that among the hostages were "active-duty personnel from the Pakistani military, police, Anti-Terrorism Force (ATF), and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI)—all of whom were traveling to Punjab on leave." 

It claimed that women, children, and Baloch passengers have been released.

No contact has been established with the 450 passengers and staff aboard the hijacked train, railway officials confirmed. The train, which departed from Quetta at 9 AM, remains stationed in a tunnel. Pakistan Railways has sent a relief train to the area, Geo News reported.  

Balochistan has seen a rise in terrorist attacks over the past year. At least 26 people were killed and 62 wounded after a suicide bomb blast ripped through a Quetta Railway Station in November 2024,

Balochistan, rich in oil and minerals, is Pakistan's largest but least populated province. It borders Iran and Afghanistan and is home to a long-running violent insurgency.

Baloch insurgent groups have been executing attacks to target security personnel, government projects, and the USD 60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects in the region. 

Also read
Pakistan Train Hijack: Baloch Militants Attack Jaffar Express, Take Over 450 Passengers Hostages

Published at : 11 Mar 2025 05:28 PM (IST)
Tags :
Balochistan Pakistan News Baloch Liberation Army BLA Pakistan Jaffar Express Hijack Jaffar Express

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