11-3-2025 (ISLAMABAD) The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has mounted a brazen railway attack, seizing control of the Jaffar Express and holding hundreds of passengers captive. The militant group, which has long championed independence for Balochistan, claims to have neutralised six military personnel during the operation.
The incident unfolded in the remote Mushqaf area of Bolan district, where insurgents detonated explosives on the tracks, bringing the nine-carriage train to a halt during its journey from Quetta to Peshawar. The BLA’s spokesperson, Jeeyand Baloch, issued stern warnings against any rescue attempts, threatening dire consequences should security forces intervene.
Balochistan, despite encompassing nearly half of Pakistan’s landmass, remains its most sparsely populated province. The region’s strategic significance stems from the deep-sea port of Gwadar, a crucial component in international maritime trade routes.
The province has been embroiled in a protracted struggle spanning decades, with various separatist factions, predominantly the BLA, engaging in armed resistance against the Pakistani state. These groups contend that the federal government has systematically exploited Balochistan’s abundant mineral and gas reserves whilst neglecting local development.
In response to the crisis, provincial authorities have declared a state of emergency. Government spokesperson Shahid Rind confirmed that all relevant institutions have been mobilised to address the situation, whilst security forces have converged on the incident site.
The region’s complex geopolitical landscape is defined by its strategic borders with Iran and Afghanistan, alongside Pakistani provinces including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and Sindh. The BLA’s campaign has frequently targeted not only Pakistani government installations and military assets but also Chinese interests in the area, highlighting the broader international dimensions of the conflict.
