Separatist Militants Hijack Train in Pakistan, Hundreds Feared Hostage
In a chilling and brazen act of terrorism, separatist militants in Pakistan hijacked a train carrying over 400 passengers on Tuesday in the isolated, mountainous region of Bolan district in Balochistan Province. The fate of the passengers, with dozens reportedly being held hostage, remained unclear as authorities struggled to reach the remote location due to treacherous terrain. The train, traveling from Quetta, the capital of Balochistan, to Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, was ambushed after militants opened fire, forcing it to stop. The route would have passed through major cities like Lahore and Rawalpindi, near Islamabad, before reaching its final destination.
Militants Claim Responsibility, Release Some Passengers
The hijacking was claimed by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist group fighting for greater political control and economic development in the resource-rich but impoverished Balochistan Province. In a Telegram post, the group stated that it had taken 182 hostages, including members of security agencies traveling on leave. The BLA claimed that civilian passengers, particularly women, children, the elderly, and Baloch citizens, were released safely and provided a secure route. However, these claims could not be independently verified, and the government has yet to confirm reports of hostages or casualties. Families of the passengers anxiously gathered at the Quetta railway station, seeking updates, while many expressed frustration over the lack of communication from authorities.
Escalating Violence in Balochistan Highlights Regional Tensions
The train hijacking is the latest in a series of violent episodes in Balochistan, a province bordering Iran and Afghanistan. The region is home to major Chinese-led projects, including the strategic Gwadar Port, which has long been a point of contention for separatists. The BLA, which carried out the hijacking, has a history of high-profile attacks. Last year, the group was responsible for one of Pakistan’s deadliest terrorist attacks—a suicide bombing at Quetta’s busy railway station that killed at least 25 people, including security personnel. The group also claimed responsibility for a deadly bombing targeting a convoy carrying Chinese citizens near Karachi’s international airport. The separatists accuse China of exploiting Balochistan’s resources without benefiting the local population.
Separatist Groups Expand Attacks, Challenge State Authority
In recent months, separatist groups in Balochistan have escalated their attacks, targeting Pakistani security forces, infrastructure, and Chinese interests in the region. Last week, an alliance of separatist groups, including the BLA, announced plans to intensify their offensive against the state. Analysts point to this escalation as evidence of the growing operational capabilities and sophistication of separatist groups, as well as the weakening control of the Pakistani government in the region. “This points to two key trends: the increasing operational capabilities and sophistication of separatist groups and the weakening control of the government in Balochistan,” said Abdul Basit, a senior associate fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore.
Civilians Bear the Brunt of Violence, Seek Safety
The hijacking has further exposed the precarious security situation in Balochistan, where civilians are increasingly caught in the crossfire. Rashid Hussain, a trader in Quetta, expressed deep concern for his family, who were aboard the train when communication was lost. “I am deeply worried,” he said by telephone. “The government is not providing any updates. Neither roads nor trains are safe in this province.” Many residents in the region had turned to rail travel as a safer alternative after frequent militant ambushes on highways, where passengers were often killed. However, the resumption of train services in October, after a two-month suspension due to militant attacks on railway tracks, offered little reassurance following the hijacking.
Attackers’ Motives and the Broader Implications
The BLA and other separatist groups in Balochistan accuse the Pakistani government of neglecting the region’s development and exploiting its natural resources for the benefit of other provinces. They also allege that Chinese projects, such as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), have further marginalised the local population by failing to create jobs or improve infrastructure for Baloch people. While the militants frame their actions as a fight for Balochistan’s rights, their tactics have caused immense suffering for civilians and raised concerns about the region’s stability. As the situation unfolds, the train hijacking highlights the deepening security crisis in Balochistan and the challenges Pakistan faces in addressing the grievances of its most restive province.
