Pakistan Military Responds to Deadly Train Hijacking

Pakistan Train Hijacking: Over 400 Passengers Caught in Militant Attack

Armed Militants Hijack Train in Pakistan, Over 400 Affected

A rare and alarming hostage situation unfolded in Pakistan as armed militants seized control of the Jaffar Express train while it passed through a tunnel near Sibi on Tuesday. The train, which had departed from Quetta in the southwestern province of Balochistan, was en route to Peshawar in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa when it was ambushed by militants associated with the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA).

The attack resulted in the hijacking of over 400 passengers, with the train driver among those reportedly injured. The incident has prompted an extensive military rescue operation, as officials work to secure the release of the remaining hostages.

Rescue Efforts and Military Response

Military sources report that 155 passengers have so far been freed, while 27 militants have been killed in clashes. However, these figures remain unverified by independent sources. Pakistan’s government has deployed hundreds of troops, including special forces and helicopters, to recover the remaining captives and neutralize the attackers.

The BLA, a separatist militant group advocating for Balochistan’s independence, has issued a stark warning, threatening severe consequences if a rescue attempt is launched. Reports indicate that at least 12 freed hostages have been hospitalized due to injuries sustained during the ordeal.

Security officials suggest that some of the militants have escaped, taking an unknown number of hostages with them into the mountainous terrain nearby. Among the passengers on the hijacked train were approximately 100 security personnel, according to official sources.

Demands and Escalating Tensions

The attackers have demanded the release of Baloch political prisoners, setting a 48-hour deadline for the government to comply. Failure to meet this demand, they claim, will result in the execution of hostages.

Survivor Accounts: Fear and Chaos

Passengers who managed to escape the hijacked train have shared harrowing details of their ordeal. Muhammad Ashraf, who was traveling to Lahore to visit his family, recounted the terrifying moment militants stormed the train. “Everyone was terrified,” he said.

A group of passengers who successfully fled walked for nearly four hours to reach another railway station. Many had to assist weaker passengers, carrying them on their shoulders. “It was an exhausting journey, especially for those with women and children,” Ashraf added.

Another survivor, Ishaq Noor, was traveling with his wife and two children when the attack took place. “The first explosion was so loud that my child fell from his seat,” he recalled. Amid the chaos, he and his wife shielded their children, prepared to take the bullets themselves.

Mushtaq Muhammad, another passenger in the third carriage, noted that the assailants communicated in Balochi. Their leader repeatedly instructed them to monitor security personnel closely to prevent any escape attempts.

Some passengers, particularly women, children, and elderly residents of Balochistan, were released on Tuesday evening, according to Ishaq. He himself was set free after militants confirmed he was from the Baloch city of Turbat and had his family with him.

Security Forces Intensify Operations

As the crisis unfolds, Pakistani security forces have launched a large-scale operation to rescue the remaining hostages. Hundreds of troops have been deployed, with additional reinforcements arriving to secure the area.

On Wednesday, the BBC observed coffins being transported from Quetta Railway Station, reportedly to collect casualties from the attack. A railway official confirmed that the coffins were empty and intended for the deceased, should any bodies be recovered.

The Balochistan Liberation Army and Ongoing Unrest

The BLA has waged a decades-long insurgency against the Pakistani state, demanding independence for Balochistan. The group has carried out numerous attacks, primarily targeting police stations, railway lines, and highways.

Pakistan’s military has engaged in prolonged counter-insurgency operations in the region, resulting in thousands of disappearances since the early 2000s. Human rights organizations have accused security forces of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances, allegations that the Pakistani government denies.

BLA has been classified as a terrorist organization by Pakistan and several Western countries, including the United Kingdom and the United States.

Ongoing Standoff and Government Response

Authorities report that the train remains stranded near the tunnel, surrounded by rugged mountainous terrain. Security officials have yet to establish communication with those still aboard, citing the absence of mobile network coverage in the area.

Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest and resource-rich province, remains one of the country’s poorest regions. The ongoing insurgency has fueled tensions between the government and the local population, leading to repeated outbreaks of violence.

The Pakistan Human Rights Commission has expressed deep concern over the hijacking, urging all parties to seek an immediate resolution through peaceful negotiations. “We call upon all stakeholders to address the grievances of the Baloch people and work toward a political and peaceful solution,” the organization stated on X (formerly Twitter).

Meanwhile, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has strongly condemned the attack, calling for the immediate release of all remaining hostages.