(Image source from: REUTERS)
In a confrontation with Baloch militants in the volatile province of Balochistan, Pakistani security personnel successfully killed a minimum of 27 insurgents and freed 155 individuals from a train that had been seized. The operation unfolded on Wednesday, marking the second day of clashes between security forces and the rebels. As indicated by security officials, 37 people sustained injuries during the operation and are currently receiving medical care. The Jaffar Express, carrying approximately 500 passengers across nine coaches, was en route from Quetta to Peshawar when it was ambushed by armed assailants in a tunnel situated in the rugged Gudalar and Piru Kunri regions of the Bolan area on Tuesday afternoon. Responsibility for the hijacking was later claimed by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA). Bolan encompasses a mountainous stretch of over 100 kilometers between Quetta and Sibi, featuring 17 tunnels that the railway track passes through. Due to the challenging landscape, train speeds are typically reduced in this region.
During the ongoing firefight with the militants, security forces were able to save 150 captives, including women and children. Reports indicate that a total of 27 militants have been neutralized thus far. Security sources revealed that terrorists had stationed suicide bombers with explosive vests near some of the hostages. In a desperate attempt to thwart the operation, the insurgents are leveraging innocent individuals as shields, holding women and children captive at three different sites. This has necessitated a cautious approach during the operation. Security sources confirmed that efforts to eliminate the remaining militants continue. "The insurgents are attempting to flee in small groups under the cover of darkness, but security forces have encircled the tunnel, and we expect to rescue the other passengers shortly," stated a source. Pakistani media reported heavy gunfire and explosions occurring near the tunnel where the train had been hijacked.
Pakistan Railways has established an emergency assistance center at the railway stations in Peshawar and Quetta to help worried relatives and friends seeking news about their loved ones aboard the train. While the militants asserted that they had released women and children, this claim was disputed by officials. The Minister of State for Interior, Talal Chaudhry, stated that the security forces were responsible for the liberation of the hostages. District police officer Rana Muhammad Dilawar, from the area where the train was halted, mentioned that security forces had cordoned off the vicinity, although there were indications that militants had taken a number of women and children captive. He noted that there were approximately four to five government officials present on the train. Tariq Mahmood, a senior staff member at Peshawar Railway Station, urged the public not to believe in the rumors spreading through social media and other channels.
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) asserted that they gained control of the train by derailing it and claimed the lives of six security personnel. In a statement released on Tuesday, the BLA issued a warning that should the Pakistan military initiate an operation, "all hostages will be executed." This group is designated as a banned organization in Pakistan, the UK, and the US. Over the past year, Balochistan has experienced a rise in terrorist activities. For instance, in November 2024, a suicide bombing at Quetta Railway Station resulted in the deaths of at least 26 individuals and left 62 injured. Balochistan, which shares borders with Iran and Afghanistan, has been plagued by a longstanding violent insurgency. Baloch insurgent factions often target security forces, government initiatives, and the USD 60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects in this resource-rich province.
