Armed militants have attacked a passenger train in Pakistan’s Balochistan province, taking a number of hostages, according to military sources. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the assault on the Jaffar Express, which was traveling from Quetta to Peshawar.
The separatist group stated that it had detonated a bomb on the railway track before storming the train in the remote Sibi district. Pakistani authorities confirmed that at least three people, including the train driver, were injured.
Terrorists have hijacked Jaffar Express in Balochistan's Bolan district, holding over 400 passengers hostage, including women and children.
The Baloch Liberation Army claims responsibility and has threatened to execute hostages if authorities intervene.#Pakistan #Balochistan pic.twitter.com/Wmub7ISvrU
— British Pakistani Index (@PakistaniIndex) March 11, 2025
Security forces have been deployed to the site, and a medical emergency has been declared at government hospitals in the region. A police official from the area bordering Sibi reported that the train was halted before a tunnel surrounded by mountainous terrain. Reports of heavy gunfire at the scene have been confirmed by local authorities.
Local journalists in Quetta reported the presence of helicopters in the sky and dozens of ambulances heading toward the area. The BLA issued a warning against any rescue attempts, threatening “severe consequences” if action is taken.
The militant group has been engaged in a decades-long insurgency for Balochistan’s independence, frequently targeting infrastructure, police stations, and government forces.
Railway controller Muhammad Kashif confirmed that between 400 and 450 passengers had booked tickets for the train. According to paramilitary sources quoted by railway officials in Quetta, women and children were seen disembarking and walking towards the city of Sibi, though an exact number has not been provided.
Families of passengers have gathered at Quetta railway station, seeking information about their relatives. One individual, Muhammad Ashraf, whose father boarded the train for Lahore on Tuesday morning, stated that he had been unable to establish contact. Officials say they have not yet managed to communicate with anyone on board.
The affected area lacks both internet and mobile network coverage, making rescue coordination difficult. Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province, is rich in natural resources but remains the least developed. The province has witnessed repeated attacks by separatist groups over the years.