According to the reports on Wednesday (12 March), Militants from the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) hijacked the Jaffar Express train in Balochistan on Tuesday (11 March), taking hundreds of passengers hostage after blowing up a railway line. The train was traveling through a mountainous tunnel when the attack occurred. The BLA demanded the release of Baloch political prisoners and threatened to execute hostages if their demands were not met.
Pakistan’s military launched an air and ground operation to rescue the hostages, facing significant challenges due to the rugged terrain. By the end of the operation on Wednesday (12 March), security forces had freed around 190 hostages, but 33 militants and 21 captives were killed. Survivors described terrifying moments as explosions and gunfire erupted during the battle.
The BLA claimed in a statement that it had executed 50 hostages after authorities failed to negotiate a prisoner exchange. Local reports indicated that militants had stationed suicide bombers near captives, complicating rescue efforts. Many freed passengers had to walk for hours through the mountains to reach safety.
Balochistan has long been a hotspot for separatist insurgency, with the BLA accusing the government of oppression and exploitation. Security experts described the attack as unprecedented, highlighting the growing challenge for Pakistan’s military. The incident underscores the escalating violence in the region and the increasing boldness of militant groups.
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