Pakistan Train Hijack And Demands Of BLA

New Delhi, 12th March 2025: A train hijacking in Balochistan, Pakistan, has left many passengers held hostage by Baloch insurgents. So far, about 100 people are still in captivity. Pakistan’s security forces are actively working on a rescue operation, and according to government spokesperson Shahid Rind, 80 hostages have been freed. However, some media reports suggest that 104 hostages have already been released. The situation is still developing as efforts to secure the remaining hostages continue.

The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) is the strongest of the many insurgent groups active in the region for a long time. Beijing has invested in the Gwadar port and other projects in Balochistan, a mineral-rich region that borders Afghanistan and Iran. Earlier, it was less insurgent, but in the last few months, it has intensified attacks with new strategies, which have led to many casualties, and the Pakistani army has been targeted. The group also targets the Chinese. The group claims that the government unfairly exploits Balochistan’s gas and mineral resources, and they demand control over these local assets. The province’s mountainous border areas also serve as a base for Baloch insurgents and Islamist militants. In a dramatic turn of events in Balochistan, more than 100 hostages have been rescued from a hijacked train.

According to official reports, 80 passengers have been freed, including 43 men, 26 women, and 11 children. The ongoing rescue operation, led by Pakistan’s security forces, has been met with strong resistance from the Baloch insurgents who carried out the hijacking. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has assured the public that the operation will be successful, and the terrorists responsible for the attack will be eliminated.

While news agency IANS claims that 16 terrorists have been killed in the operation, official sources report the death toll of insurgents at 13. The situation remains fluid as security forces work to free the remaining hostages and neutralize the insurgents. The situation took a serious turn when reports emerged that 30
Pakistani soldiers were killed in clashes with the Balochistan Liberation Army, making the operation even more urgent. Pakistani security forces have set up a tight perimeter around the area where the hijacked Zafar Express is held, with personnel stationed about a kilometer from the site. To maintain control, Pakistan Army jets, helicopters, and drones are actively monitoring the operation from the air. As the standoff continues, authorities are focused on freeing the remaining hostages and dealing with the insurgents who are threatening the area.

The Zafar Express has been taken over by the Majeed Brigade, a faction of the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), which has long campaigned for Balochistan’s independence. The group has set forth a demand for the release of political prisoners and missing persons in exchange for freeing the hostages. They have issued a stern warning, stating that there will be serious consequences if their conditions are not met. The situation continues to unfold, raising concerns over the safety of
the hostages and the ongoing unrest in the region.

As the hostage situation in Balochistan persists, the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) has set conditions for the release of political prisoners in exchange for freeing the captives. Pakistan’s military is increasing its efforts to resolve the crisis, as the standoff in Balochistan continues.

The region, rich in resources and located between Afghanistan and Iran, has become a center of conflict and rising tensions. With each passing moment, the fate of the hostages remains unclear, adding to the growing instability in this important border area. As the situation escalates, the conflict threatens not only Pakistan’s
security but also the wider stability of the region.