Pakistan Train Hijack News: The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) on Tuesday hijacked an entire passenger train in Pakistan. While aircraft hijackings have long been a method to exert pressure on governments, the seizure of a train with hundreds of passengers is unheard of.
The attack took place on March 11, targeting the Jaffar Express, which was carrying around 400 passengers across nine bogies. The BLA fighters opened fire on the train, reportedly killing the driver and injuring police personnel and railway officials. Reports indicate that between 100 to 400 people were taken hostage as the train was forcibly stopped in the mountainous region of Mach, Balochistan. Eyewitnesses stated that gunfire continued in the area after the train was halted.
Historically, terrorist groups have targeted passenger aircraft to force governments into submission. The most infamous case remains the September 11, 2001, attacks in the United States, where four hijacked planes were used to carry out large-scale destruction. Two aircraft were crashed into the Twin Towers in New York City, one struck the Pentagon and the fourth crashed in Pennsylvania after passengers attempted to overpower the hijackers.
However, aircraft hijackings date back over a century. One of the first recorded incidents occurred in 1919, when a Hungarian aristocrat, fleeing persecution from the communist regime of the Hungarian Soviet Republic, hijacked a plane at gunpoint and forced it to land in Vienna.
On the other hand, train hijackings are virtually unheard of. A historical parallel can be drawn to the actions of Moluccan nationalists in the Netherlands in 1977. Seeking independence for South Maluku from Indonesia, they resorted to politically motivated violence after losing hope in Dutch support for their cause. More than 50 people were held hostage for 20 days before Dutch counter-terrorist special forces launched a raid to end the standoff. The operation resulted in the deaths of two hostages and six hijackers.
How is the government responding?
Pakistani security forces have successfully rescued 155 passengers and killed 27 militants following the hijacking of the Jaffar Express in the Mushqaf area of the Bolan district, Balochistan, according to Radio Pakistan.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the security forces for their swift and courageous response, stating, “The beastly terrorists who carry out cowardly attacks do not deserve any concession. Terrorists are enemies of Balochistan’s development, and we will continue the war against terrorism until it is completely eradicated from the country.”
The Balochistan government has declared emergency measures, mobilising all institutions to address the crisis. The attack targeted a train carrying around 500 passengers.
Authorities have dispatched a relief train and deployed additional security contingents to the site of the attack to ensure stability and assist affected passengers. Meanwhile, Geo TV reported that an emergency information desk has been established at the Quetta Railway Station to provide updates to concerned families and officials.