Islamabad: Ethnic Baloch rebels on Tuesday kidnapped a passenger train in the South -West Balochistan province of Pakistan, killing at least 20 soldiers and 182 bounds were taken in a remote mountainous region. Restricted separatist group Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the kidnapping of the first train of South Asia by terrorists.
If the security forces attempted the rescue operation, the BLA warned of “serious consequences”. He said in a statement, “If the Pakistani tries to contact military, all the hostages will be executed.”
Pakistani authorities have yet to formulate a strategy to secure hostage without triggering a massacre.
The Nine-Koch Jaffer Express was 1,600 km from the provincial capital Quetta to Peshawar carrying around 500 passengers. The train was attacked in Sibi district at around 1.30 pm (IST), 160 km south of Quetta, and it stopped near a tunnel.
The terrorists bombed the tracks before bringing the storm to the train, seriously injured the driver as they had seized the control.
Provincial government spokesperson Shahid Rind said an emergency was declared in a hospital in Sibi. Security forces also confirmed an explosion near the tunnel and said they were exchange of fire with terrorists.
The BLA claimed in its statement that the hostages included Pakistani soldiers and other security officers traveling on leave. The group said, “Citizen passengers, especially women, children, elderly and citizens of Baloch have been safely issued and a safe route is given,” the group said.
A railway official in Quetta said that 60 passengers had left the train and had arrived safely in Paneer, suggesting that non-sellers were among them.
“We are unable to make any contact with passengers and crew as not working in the mobile and telephone services,” said Quetta Railway Controller Muhammad Kashif.
According to the BLA, the attack was executed by its special units – Majeed Brigade, Special Strategic Operations Squad (STO), and Fateh Squad.
The BLA is targeting security forces, infrastructure and Chinese interests, including a suicide bombing at Quetta railway station on 9 November last year, killing at least 32 people and injuring 55. The BLA also targeted the motorway at Jinnah International Airport on 6 October 2024, killing two Chinese citizens and injured 10 people.
There can be serious consequences for kidnapping China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which passes through Balochistan. The province also has a strategically important Gwadar Port for CPEC. Baloch rebels have long opposed the project, accused China and the Pakistani government of colonizing the region and exploiting its vast natural resources.
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