A deadly train hijacking in Pakistan’s Balochistan province, orchestrated by militants from the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), has ended after a 36-hour standoff.
The attack, which took place on the Jaffar Express, was reportedly directed from across the border in Afghanistan, according to Pakistani intelligence.
The assault began on Tuesday afternoon when militants ambushed the train carrying over 400 passengers as it traveled from Quetta to Peshawar. Near the city of Sibi, the attackers unleashed heavy gunfire and rocket fire, forcing the train to stop. Passengers were pulled from the train and used as human shields, while militants targeted individuals based on their ethnicity, specifically executing ethnic Punjabis and those suspected of ties to the Pakistani military.
In a coordinated military operation, Pakistani security forces stormed the area, killing 33 militants and rescuing over 100 hostages. However, at least 21 passengers lost their lives in the brutal attack. Ghulam Sarwar, an assistant sub-inspector traveling on the train, described the onslaught as “a rain of rockets and bullets.”
Pakistani military officials revealed that the attackers remained in constant communication with their leaders in Afghanistan through satellite phones. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) accused Afghanistan-based militant leaders of orchestrating the attack and called on the Afghan government to prevent its territory from being used for terrorist activities against Pakistan.
In a televised statement, Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry warned that the attack “changes the rules of the game” and vowed to hunt down those responsible. The BLA, which has been fighting for Baloch independence, claimed responsibility for the attack and issued a 48-hour ultimatum.
Rescue operations were supported by local organizations, including the Edhi Foundation, while authorities worked to secure the area and investigate the incident. Despite the military’s efforts to minimize casualties, the incident has sparked outrage and raised concerns about cross-border terrorism and the safety of Pakistan’s railway system.
The Pakistani government is now demanding accountability from the Afghan interim government, while security forces remain on high alert to prevent future attacks.