In a dramatic raid on March 11, 2025, Baloch nationalist rebels hijacked Pakistan’s Jaffar Express with weapons supposedly abandoned by the US military after their precipitate withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. The attack occurred in southwestern Pakistan as the train carrying more than 400 passengers came under attack from the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA).
The Baloch rebels entered the train, opened fire to injure the driver, and brought the movement of the train to a standstill. The attack was on a Bolan railway track in Balochistan at approximately 1 PM. Rescue forces responded promptly, initiating a joint effort from the army, air force, and Special Services Group (SSG).
More than 24 hours of a rigorous operation saw security forces finally rescue the hostages and secure the train by removing the militants. Surprisingly, despite the brutal attack, no passengers were reported injured by the end of the operation. Nevertheless, 21 people were unfortunately victimized by the actions of the terrorists before the clearance operation was over.
US Weapons Linked to Jaffar Express Attack
Among the arms seized from the attack site was an M4A1 carbine rifle produced by Colt, a leading American arms manufacturer. The serial number of this rifle tracked back to US troops in Afghanistan, verifying that it had indeed been abandoned during the hectic 2021 withdrawal. The fact that these US-produced weapons have ended up among militants highlights the concerns over the long-term implication of the US hasty withdrawal from Afghanistan.
The BLA, one of the region’s most prominent separatist groups, has been clamoring for Balochistan’s independence for years, charging Pakistan’s government with plundering the province’s rich mineral wealth. The group regularly attacks government and military targets, as well as Chinese interests, in its quest for greater autonomy.
A Continuing Insurgency
Balochistan has been torn apart by separatist violence for many years, and the BLA’s assault on the Jaffar Express merely marks the beginning of a litany of militant operations to undermine the region. The BLA’s independence campaign has become stronger amid charges by the central government of resource plunder. Pakistan security forces are watchful as similar insurgent activities continue to ravage civilian existence and challenge national security.
This attack serves to underscore the endemic insecurity in the region and the continued threat posed by insurgent forces armed with sophisticated weapons. With the BLA’s connections to militants in Afghanistan, the situation remains precarious, and the possibility of further escalation continues to hang over Balochistan.
