On March 11, 2025, Pakistan was thrust into a state of alarm as the Jaffar Express, a passenger train traveling from Quetta to Peshawar, was hijacked in the restive province of Balochistan. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist militant group, claimed responsibility for this audacious attack, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing insurgency in the region. As of today, March 12, 2025, the situation remains fluid, with reports emerging from sources like Dawn and international outlets shedding light on a complex and volatile crisis.
The Incident: What Happened?
The Jaffar Express, carrying between 400 to 500 passengers across nine coaches, was intercepted in a tunnel near the rugged terrain of Gudalar and Piru Kunri in Balochistan’s Bolan district. Armed BLA militants reportedly detonated explosives on the railway tracks to halt the train before opening fire, injuring the driver and taking control of the situation. According to Dawn, the Balochistan government confirmed “intense firing” on the train, while the BLA claimed to have taken 182 hostages, primarily military and security personnel, after releasing civilians such as women, children, and elderly Baloch passengers.
The BLA’s demands are clear: a prisoner swap for Baloch political detainees within a 48-hour ultimatum. Failure to comply, they warn, will result in the execution of hostages—some reports even cite a chilling threat to kill five hostages per hour if their terms are unmet. This standoff has put the Pakistan Army and government in a precarious position, with rescue operations underway but facing significant challenges due to the mountainous landscape.
The Baloch Liberation Army: Who Are They?
The BLA, often misspelled as “Baluchistan Liberation Army,” is an ethnonationalist militant group fighting for an independent Balochistan, a resource-rich province bordering Afghanistan and Iran. Designated as a terrorist organization by Pakistan and the United States, the BLA has a history of targeting infrastructure, security forces, and even foreign nationals—particularly Chinese workers involved in projects like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Their grievances stem from decades of alleged exploitation of Balochistan’s gas and mineral wealth by the central government, coupled with accusations of enforced disappearances and human rights abuses.
This train hijack is not an isolated event but part of a broader pattern of unrest. As reported in The Hindu and other outlets in the past, Balochistan has long been a hotspot for insurgency, with the BLA’s Majeed Brigade—a suicide squad—leading high-profile attacks. The hijacking of the Jaffar Express, named after a Baloch tribal leader close to Pakistan’s founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah, carries symbolic weight, striking at the heart of the state’s connectivity and authority.
The Response: Pakistan Army and Government Action
Pakistan’s military has launched a full-scale rescue operation, with conflicting reports on its progress. As of late March 11, official statements cited in Dawn and other Pakistan news sources claim that 27 militants have been killed and 155 passengers rescued, yet the BLA disputes this, calling it propaganda and asserting they retain control over 214 hostages. The Pakistan Air Force has deployed helicopters, and security forces are combing the mountains where some hostages were reportedly taken. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi have condemned the attack, labeling the militants “beasts” and vowing a strong response.
However, the operation’s delicacy—highlighted by experts speaking to outlets like News18—raises doubts about the army’s ability to resolve this without significant casualties. The rocky terrain and the BLA’s threats complicate matters, leaving families of the hostages in anguish as they await updates at stations like Quetta and Mach.
A Critical Lens: Beyond the Narrative
While the establishment narrative paints the BLA as terrorists disrupting national stability, a deeper look reveals a more troubling picture. Balochistan’s incorporation into Pakistan in 1948 remains contentious, with many Baloch claiming it was coerced. Decades of economic neglect, political marginalization, and documented cases of “missing persons” fuel the insurgency. The BLA’s actions, while violent, reflect a desperation that the state has failed to address through dialogue or development.
Pakistan’s response—military might over negotiation—may suppress this incident but risks further alienating the Baloch population. The international community, including voices in The Hindu ePaper and beyond, has noted the human rights dimension, with a 2024 UN report highlighting thousands of enforced disappearances in the province. Is the train hijack a terrorist act, or a symptom of a state losing legitimacy in its periphery?
The Fallout: What’s Next?
As of 12:09 AM PDT on March 12, 2025, the crisis is ongoing. Pakistan Railways has suspended services between Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan, signaling broader disruption. The BLA’s ultimatum looms, and the fate of over 200 passengers hangs in the balance. For Pakistan, this is not just a security challenge but a test of governance in a province that feels more like an occupied territory than an equal partner.
The Jaffar Express hijack underscores the fragility of Pakistan’s control in Balochistan. Whether through military success or a negotiated end, the resolution will reverberate far beyond the tunnel where this drama began. For now, the world watches as Pakistan grapples with its own creation—a rebellion born of neglect, now armed and defiant.