On March 11, the Jaffar Express—a nine-bogie passenger train with a capacity of 700—was hijacked in the remote Mushkaf area of District Kachhi, Balochistan, by militants from the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA).
The train carried over 400 passengers on board. The incident quickly escalated into Pakistan’s national tragedy, lasting two days as armed insurgents held hostages, demanding the release of imprisoned Baloch militants.
The attack
The Jaffar Express, on its long journey from Quetta to Peshawar, was ambushed by the insurgents at approximately 1:15pm, local time, near Tunnel No 8 in the mountainous terrain of Mushkaf.
The attack began with an IED explosion that disabled the railway track, followed by gunfire that injured the train’s driver. With the train immobilized, militants seized control and took the passengers hostage.
The Mushkaf area, a rugged region with 18 historic tunnels built during the British colonial era, is notorious for its inaccessibility.
Experts described the attack site as nearly unreachable by regular vehicles, further complicating rescue efforts.
Response and rescue operations
Pakistan’s military and paramilitary forces launched an extensive operation to rescue the hostages.
Hospitals in Sibi, Daddar, and Quetta were placed on high alert, while emergency relief trains carrying doctors and security personnel were dispatched. Despite difficult terrain and hostile conditions, the military successfully freed 55 civilians on the first day.
By March 12, over 100 hostages had been rescued. However, militants used women and children as human shields, posing challenges for the security forces.
According to the media wing of Pakistan Army, ISPR, the operation faced significant resistance. At least 21 civilians were killed, and 37 were injured during the ordeal.
By the evening of March 13, the military declared the operation concluded, with all hostages freed. Four soldiers lost their lives, and 33 militants were killed during the clearance mission.
BLA’s demands
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), claimed responsibility for the hijacking of the Jaffar Express train and taking civilians hostage in Mushkaf.
The separatists issued a 48-hour ultimatum, demanding the release of all enforced disappeared persons and jailed militants. They threatened to execute the hostages if their demands were not met.
Historically, the BLA has targeted individuals from Punjab region, whether civilians or military personnel.
However, this time, their demands focused on the unconditional release of imprisoned Baloch militants.
The group’s statement lacked clarity regarding the names of the prisoners they sought to free, adding ambiguity to their demands.
Pakistan railway administration reported that most passengers on the Jaffar Express were traveling to Lahore, the capital and most populous city of Punjab. Others were headed to Rawalpindi and Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province.
During the army’s clearance operation against the hijackers, authorities in Balochistan suspended railway services for three days. They announced that services would resume only after security clearance.
Global condemnation
The hijacking drew widespread international condemnation. Countries including the United States, China, Iran, and Turkey denounced the attack as a heinous act of terrorism. Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif visited Quetta to oversee the operations.
In a statement, he called the tragedy a national mourning, emphasizing that Balochistan’s development is essential for the country’s progress. Similarly, President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the attack as inhumane and contrary to Balochistan’s traditions.
Impact
Security analysts observe that Baloch separatists in Balochistan have historically targeted military personnel and alleged informers linked to state security or intelligence agencies.
However, over the past two decades, banned terrorist organizations operating in the region have increasingly attacked civilians, particularly those from Punjab or individuals with Punjab listed as their permanent address on national identity cards.
The incident underscored the grave security challenges faced by Pakistan in its restive province, and the resolve needed to address the root causes of conflict.
The Jaffar Express tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of insurgency and the resilience of those caught in its wake.
Khaliq Khan, a multimedia journalist from Pakistan, covers politics, climate change, human rights, education, and crime. He is associated with Daily Qudrat, Balochistan's largest-circulating newspaper.
