Pakistani Military Rescues 190 Hostages After Train Attack in Baluchistan
The separatist Baluchistan Liberation Army detonated explosives to halt the Jaffar Express, taking over 450 passengers hostage; dozens remain unaccounted for as clashes continue.
- The Baluchistan Liberation Army (BLA) attacked the Jaffar Express on March 11, using explosives to stop the train near Sibi in Pakistan's Baluchistan province.
- Pakistani forces have freed 190 hostages, including men, women, and children, while dozens of passengers remain captive or missing, with some reportedly taken into mountainous areas.
- The attack left at least three dead, including a policeman, a soldier, and the train's conductor, and resulted in ongoing clashes that have killed at least 30 attackers so far.
- The BLA has demanded the release of Baluch prisoners and is accused of targeting passengers based on their provincial origins, particularly those from Punjab, seen as dominant in Pakistan's military.
- The separatist group frequently accuses the government and foreign investors of exploiting Baluchistan's natural resources while marginalizing its population, contributing to a surge in violence in the region.
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