Passenger Train Hijacked in Pakistan’s Balochistan Province by Armed Militants

March 11, 2025 | Quetta, Pakistan — A passenger train traveling through Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province was hijacked today by armed militants believed to be linked to a separatist group.

The train, identified as the Jaffar Express, was en route from Quetta to Peshawar and was carrying an estimated 500 passengers, including women and children, when it was intercepted near the Mach area of Bolan district.

According to initial reports, the attackers overpowered security personnel on board and have taken a significant number of passengers hostage. Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic and confusion as gunmen entered the carriages, ordering people to remain silent and cooperate.

Unconfirmed sources suggest that the militants may belong to the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a group known for targeting infrastructure and government assets in their campaign for an independent Balochistan. There are also reports of casualties among the security forces, but official confirmation is still awaited.

Local authorities have mobilized law enforcement and paramilitary forces to secure the area. Helicopters were seen hovering above the nearby mountain ranges as part of the surveillance and rescue coordination efforts.

“We strongly condemn this act of terror. Efforts are underway to bring all passengers to safety,” a senior government official said.

The hijacking marks one of the most serious security incidents in the region in recent years. Balochistan, though rich in natural resources, has been a hotspot of unrest and insurgency for decades.

Rescue operations are ongoing, and more details are expected to emerge as the situation unfolds.