Jaffar Express Hijacked: Over 400 Hostages Held by Baloch Separatists

QUETTA: A passenger train traveling from Quetta to Peshawar, Jaffar Express, was hijacked on Tuesday in Balochistan’s Sibi district by armed militants, with over 400 passengers held hostage. The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for the attack and warned of severe consequences if security forces attempt a rescue operation.

The hijacking took place near the remote mountainous region of Peru Kanri, where the train was forcibly halted by the attackers. The militants bombed the track before storming the nine-coach train, injuring the driver and several passengers during the attack.

Among the 450 passengers onboard, including women and children, are being held captive by the armed assailants. According to Muhammad Kashif, a senior railway official in Quetta, “The gunmen have taken control of the train and are holding all passengers hostage.”

Security sources report that the attackers have fortified their position inside the train, making rescue efforts extremely difficult. Communication with the train crew was lost shortly after the assault began, around 1:00 PM local time, just before the train was scheduled to stop at Sibi station.

In a statement, the BLA claimed responsibility for the hijacking, alleging the deaths of six security personnel aboard the train. The group, fighting for an independent Balochistan, issued a warning to Pakistani authorities, threatening retaliation if any rescue attempt is made.

“The Balochistan Liberation Army warns of severe consequences if an operation is launched against us,” the BLA stated. The group declared that the hijacking was part of its ongoing insurgency.

In response, Pakistani security forces have cordoned off the area and launched an operation to clear the attackers. An emergency has been declared in Sibi’s hospitals, and a relief train has been dispatched to assist with the situation. The mountainous terrain poses significant challenges to the operation.

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Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind confirmed that rescue efforts are underway, emphasizing that the safety of the hostages remains the top priority. “We are taking every necessary measure to resolve the crisis,” he stated.