At least 10 people have died after separatist militants hijacked the Jaffer Express train carrying hundreds of passengers through Pakistan's Balochistan province on March 11, 2025, according to government reports. The deceased included nine security personnel and the train driver.
On the afternoon of the attack, armed individuals stopped the train as it reached Tunnel No. 8. This incident unfolded as the train was traveling from Quetta to Peshawar, having departed at 9:00 AM local time with approximately 450 passengers onboard.
Reports of intense gunfire were confirmed by Shahid Rind, Balochistan government spokesperson. “We are trying to contact the passengers and staff,” noted Muhammad Kashif, Quetta Railways’ controller. The militants, part of the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), swiftly took control of the train, which was held up just before entering the tunnel.
According to security sources, by the evening of March 11, around 104 hostages—including 58 men, 31 women, and 15 children—had been freed by security forces, who also engaged with the militants during the crisis. Notably, 16 militants were reported killed as operations continued, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation.
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif issued a strong condemnation of the attack and labeled the targeting of innocent passengers “a clear reflection” of the terrorists disconnected from Islamic principles. Meanwhile, local reports spoke of fatalities among security forces and first responders.
Shortly before the attack, the Balochistan Counter-Terrorism Department had issued alerts about potential threats by the BLA, which has escalated its violent campaigns amid decades of regional unrest. The insurgency has intensified following the leasing of Balochistan's Gwadar deep-water port to China, causing public anger over perceived exploitation of local resources.
The BLA has garnered notoriety for being behind some of the deadliest attacks within Pakistan, with 2024 being marked as the deadliest year for militant violence, recording over 1,600 fatalities overall.
Eyewitness accounts revealed the tense atmosphere during the hostage crisis. Relatives of passengers at the Quetta railway station expressed deep concern for their loved ones. “My brother was on the train. We haven’t heard from him since morning,” shared Muhammad Farhan, visibly shaken at the uncertainty surrounding the fate of those aboard.
According to security officials, the remote mountainous area where the train was halted made rescue operations challenging, but efforts were streamlined to secure the remaining hostages. Tactical action remained underway as the militants were reportedly using women and children as shields against security forces.
Meanwhile, the BLA has intensified its rhetoric, claiming responsibility for the hijacking and threatening to execute hostages should military intervention occur. They declared their intention to exchange hostages for the release of Baloch political prisoners.
Recent patterns of violence and the rising frequency of attacks by the BLA reflect instability within the region, as authorities struggle to maintain order and address the grievances of local populations.
Since the return of the Taliban to power in Afghanistan, Pakistan has seen increased unrest, with militants reportedly receiving support across borders, compounding the challenges faced by security forces.
The Balochistan government has dispatched emergency responders to aid with the situation, yet the locality's rugged terrain and lack of communication tools have inhibited these efforts, forcing authorities to deploy ground troops alongside air support.
Experts warn of the potential fallout from this incident, noting significant societal repercussions if the BLA's demands are not met, especially as public sentiment grows weary of violence and instability. This latest attack, like many before, poses significant challenges to national security and regional peace.
Despite the challenges, Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti has reiterated the commitment of security forces, stating operations will continue until all militants are neutralized. The state remains vigilant as they navigate through this perilous crisis impacting hundreds of lives.