Pakistani Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) militants hijacked the Peshawar-bound Jaffar Express in Balochistan’s Bolan district, injuring the driver of the train and taking more than 400 passengers, including security personnel, hostage in a mountainous rural area.
The BLA took responsibility for the hijacking, giving a strong warning against any rescue efforts. Pakistan’s Interior Minister, Mohsin Naqvi, denounced the attack and promised that the government would not give in to “beasts who fire on innocent passengers.”
Who Are the Balochistan Liberation Army?
The Balochistan Liberation Army has been waging a decades-old struggle against the Pakistan government, seeking independence for Balochistan, a province laden with resources. The organization claims that Pakistan annexed Balochistan in 1948 by forcing its then-ruler, Khan of Kalat, to sign the instrument of accession.
The BLA, which is a US- and Pakistan-designated terrorist group, asserts that the federal government is plundering the province’s enormous oil and mineral resources while the ethnic Baloch are subjected to institutionalized discrimination and abject poverty. The militants contend that “Pakistani military generals and their Punjabi elite are looting these resources for their luxury. The valuable natural resources in Balochistan belong to the Baloch nation.”
Militancy and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor
The Balochistan insurgency has grown more intense, especially after China, Pakistan’s strategic ally, started to operationalize the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in the province. The BLA has incessantly attacked Chinese-funded infrastructure projects and engineers, prompting Pakistan to beef up security around these projects.
The group issued another threat after the train attack, saying, “We strongly warn all foreign investors not to participate in the exploitation of occupied Balochistan’s resources.”
Rising Violence in Balochistan
The BLA increased attacks on security forces in November 2022 following a ceasefire agreement between the Taliban and the US in Afghanistan. Experts say that the BLA is working with the help of other insurgent groups. Islamabad-based security expert Abdullah Khan said that BLA activities have been increasing over the years as regional dynamics are changing.
Over 1,600 individuals were reported killed in attacks in Pakistan in 2024, the deadliest year in almost a decade, according to the Center for Research and Security Studies. With growing tensions in Balochistan, security forces are waging their war against the insurgency, with civilians caught in the middle.
Government’s Response and Security Measures
Pakistan’s security apparatus is keeping a close eye on the situation and planning possible countersteps. Authorities have not made any announcements regarding negotiations or military action to free the hostages. The government continues to be adamant in its opposition to militant organizations, asserting that national security will not be jeopardized.