Armed militants attacked the Jaffar Express in Pakistan’s Balochistan province on March 11, 2025, taking over 100 passengers hostage.
The train, carrying approximately 500 people, was traveling from Quetta to Peshawar when the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) derailed it near Mach Town in the Kachhi district.
The attackers bombed the railway track and opened fire, killing six people, including a train driver, a police officer, and a soldier.
Pakistani troops launched a rescue operation, freeing at least 104 hostages while killing 16 militants. However, the rugged terrain hampered efforts, and clashes between security forces and militants continued.
The BLA claimed responsibility for the attack, stating it targeted security personnel onboard and warned against rescue attempts. They also demanded a prisoner exchange within 48 hours.
The BLA claimed to have targeted the train because it seeks independence for Balochistan and accuses the government of exploiting the region’s resources
The siege highlights ongoing instability in Balochistan, where separatist groups like the BLA have intensified attacks on infrastructure and security forces.
The region, rich in resources but underdeveloped, has long been a center of insurgency fueled by grievances over alleged exploitation by the central government.
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