The Separatist militants of Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) fired on the Jaffar Express a passenger train carrying around 400 passengers across nine bogies in southwestern Pakistan on Tuesday. The attacke injured the train driver, police and railway officials.The train was en route from Quetta to Peshawar in Pakistan. According to the media reports 120 people are under hostage and 6 security personnel have been killed.
The attack took place in the Mushqaf area of the Bolan district in Balochistan province. The train was reportedly fired upon by militants, leading to the injury of the driver, but no additional casualties have been confirmed at this time.
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist militant group, claimed responsibility for the attack. In their statement, the BLA stated that they had taken hostages from the train, including security personnel. However, neither provincial government nor railway officials have confirmed reports of hostages being taken.
Security forces quickly arrived at the scene of the incident and have initiated operations to address the situation. Shahid Rind, a spokesperson for the Balochistan government, confirmed that emergency measures have been put in place, and all relevant institutions have been mobilized to handle the situation.
This attack is part of a wider, decades-long insurgency in Balochistan, led by separatist groups like the BLA, which have long fought for independence from Pakistan. These groups have expressed concerns over the exploitation of Balochistan’s rich natural resources, including gas and minerals, by the Pakistani government, and they are demanding a fairer share for the region.
The BLA’s primary objective is the independence of Balochistan, a demand that has fueled numerous attacks targeting government officials, military personnel, and Chinese interests in the area.
The situation remains fluid, and authorities are working to secure the area and determine the full scope of the attack. Further updates are awaited.
(With Reuters Inputs)