Passengers who were freed from a train seized by armed militants in Pakistan’s Balochistan province have described “doomsday scenes” onboard as they endured terror and uncertainty during the hijacking. The attack on the Jaffar Express, which was travelling from Quetta to Peshawar with over 400 passengers on board, was carried out by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) on Tuesday. The militants took several hostages and caused panic among the passengers.
Ishaq Noor, one of the passengers, shared his harrowing experience, telling the BBC, “We held our breath throughout the firing, not knowing what would happen next.” Noor, who was travelling with his wife and two children, recalled how the initial explosion on the train was so intense that one of his children fell from the seat, and they both tried to shield their children from the gunfire.
According to military sources, 155 passengers have been freed, and 27 militants have been killed, although these figures remain unverified. The situation remains fluid, with rescue operations still ongoing. Hundreds of troops have been deployed to secure the area, and helicopters and special forces have been brought in to assist with the operation. The BLA, however, has issued a warning of “severe consequences” if any rescue attempts are made.
The hijackers, believed to be from the BLA, reportedly engaged in tense exchanges in Balochi as they took control of the train. They released some Balochistan residents, along with women, children, and elderly passengers, later in the evening. Many of those freed were taken to hospital for treatment, as the toll on the passengers was severe.
Muhammad Ashraf, a passenger heading from Quetta to Lahore to visit family, described the fear that gripped the passengers during the attack. “It was a scene of doomsday,” he said. Some passengers, including women and children, had to walk for nearly four hours to the nearest station after managing to disembark from the train, with some men carrying the weaker passengers on their shoulders.
As for the driver of the train, Amjad Yasin, there is growing concern for his condition after reports that he was injured during the attack. Yasin, a veteran train driver with 24 years of experience, had previously survived an explosion targeting a train he was driving about eight years ago. His family remains anxiously awaiting news of his condition.
The BLA, which has been fighting for Balochistan’s independence for decades, has waged a long-running insurgency, frequently targeting police stations, railway lines, and highways. The group has been responsible for numerous attacks in the region, and its actions have garnered international condemnation. Both Pakistan and several Western nations, including the US and UK, have designated the BLA as a terrorist organisation.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan expressed grave concern over the hijacking, urging the government and relevant stakeholders to work towards a peaceful, political solution to the issues in Balochistan. The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has also strongly condemned the train siege, calling for the immediate release of the remaining passengers.
The situation in Balochistan, where insurgency and counter-insurgency operations have led to numerous disappearances and human rights violations, continues to be a source of international concern. As Pakistan’s army and security forces face allegations of extrajudicial killings and torture, the humanitarian crisis in the region remains urgent, and calls for peace and resolution are intensifying.
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