Pakistan’s reeling from a gut-wrenching crisis. The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) hijacked the Jaffar Express yesterday, Tuesday afternoon. It was rolling through a tunnel in Bolan district, Balochistan.
Over 450 passengers were onboard, heading from Quetta to Peshawar. Armed militants blew up the tracks, killed the driver, and took control. Chaos erupted fast.
The BLA’s calling it a strike against Pakistan’s grip on their land. They’ve got hostages—hundreds of them—and the clock’s ticking.
This isn’t just a random hit. The BLA’s been fighting for decades. They want Balochistan free from Islamabad’s rule. The province is massive—44% of Pakistan’s land—but it’s dirt poor. Rich in gas and minerals, locals say the government bleeds it dry.
Tuesday’s attack was bold. The train got stuck in Tunnel Number 8, Mashkaf area. Militants fired heavy rounds. At least 10 died early on—six soldiers, a cop, and civilians. The BLA claims they’ve killed over 30 troops. Pakistan disputes that.
The scene’s a nightmare. Passengers described “doomsday” moments. Gunfire echoed in the dark. Some militants wore suicide vests, complicating everything. The BLA freed women, kids, and elderly folks quick. But they’re holding 214 others—mostly soldiers. They’ve issued a 48-hour ultimatum. Release Baloch political prisoners, or hostages die. Pakistani forces hit back hard.
By Wednesday afternoon, they’d rescued 190 people. Choppers buzzed overhead. Ground troops killed 27 attackers. Fighting’s still raging.
Balochistan Train Hijack: Why It’s Happening
The Balochistan train hijack roots run deep. The BLA’s Majeed Brigade led this one. They’re the suicide squad, fearless and fierce. Balochistan’s been a warzone forever and Separatists say Pakistan annexed it in 1948 against their will.
Jinnah promised autonomy, then flipped also now, China’s Gwadar port deal’s poured gas on the fire. The BLA hates it—sees it as theft. They’ve hit trains before, but never like this. Last August, they blew tracks and stopped the Jaffar Express. This time, they took it whole.
Locals back the cause but not always the blood. BLA’s got about 3,000 fighters. They know the mountains like their hands. Pakistan’s army’s struggled to crush them. Drone strikes and shelling are in play now. The BLA says that’s reckless—endangering hostages. They’ve even claimed a drone kill. The government’s calling it terrorism, plain and simple. PM Shehbaz Sharif’s vowed to wipe them out.
Balochistan Train Hijack: What’s Next?
The Balochistan train hijack standoff’s tense. Over 100 hostages are still trapped. Rescue’s tricky with suicide bombers onboard. The BLA’s deadline looms—Wednesday night. Pakistan’s not bending yet. Emergency measures are up. Train services from Punjab and Sindh to Balochistan? Halted. Quetta’s station had 100 empty coffins ready—chilling sight.
X is ablaze with reactions. “Pakistan’s on its knees,” one user wrote. Others mourn the chaos. The UN’s condemned it, demanding hostage releases. Human Rights Commission of Pakistan’s worried too.
They want talks, not guns. This could drag on. Or end in a fireball. Either way, Balochistan’s pain’s front and center.