Pakistan Retakes Hijacked Train in Baluchistan After Deadly Siege

Pakistan’s military has successfully regained control of a hijacked passenger train in Baluchistan, ending a tense 30-hour standoff with Baloch separatist militants. The operation, however, came at a heavy cost, with at least 21 hostages confirmed dead and reports suggesting the toll may be as high as 29. More than 340 passengers were rescued from the ordeal.

A Coordinated Militant Attack

The crisis began on Tuesday when armed militants from the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) targeted a passenger train in Baluchistan, detonating explosives and seizing control of the railway cars. Nearly 450 passengers were taken hostage, with the attackers demanding the release of Baloch political prisoners.

Pakistan’s military launched a large-scale counter-operation involving hundreds of soldiers and aerial support. The siege culminated in the elimination of the attackers, but the extent of civilian casualties has fueled shock and outrage across the country.

Some hostages managed to escape on their own, jumping from the moving train and making their way to the nearest railway station, according to emerging survivor accounts.

Political Fallout and Pakistan’s Response

Following the operation, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited Baluchistan to assess the rescue and medical relief efforts. Expressing deep sorrow over the attack, Sharif acknowledged the growing security challenges in the region.

The Pakistani government has accused external forces of supporting the BLA insurgents. Officials allege that the attackers were in direct communication with handlers in Afghanistan via satellite phones, and the country’s foreign ministry has gone further, implicating India in destabilizing Pakistan’s security environment.

"We know how India has been trying to destabilize its neighboring countries," stated a Pakistani foreign ministry spokesperson.

The Taliban government in Afghanistan has swiftly rejected these accusations, issuing a strongly worded statement:

"We categorically reject Pakistan’s baseless allegations and urge them to focus on resolving their internal security problems instead of making irresponsible remarks."

Baluchistan’s Long-Standing Grievances

The attack and its aftermath have reignited discussions about Baluchistan’s troubled history with the Pakistani state. Despite being Pakistan’s largest and resource-richest province—with vast reserves of coal, natural gas, and gold—Baluchistan remains among the most underdeveloped regions in the country.

• Poverty Rate: Nationally, around 40% of Pakistan’s population lives in poverty, but in Baluchistan, the rate soars to 71%.
  
  
• Literacy Rate: While Pakistan’s overall literacy rate stands at 60%, Baluchistan lags far behind at just 40%.
  
  
• Economic Growth: Since 2000, Pakistan’s economy has grown at an average of 4.2% annually, yet Baluchistan’s growth rate remains stagnant at 2.1%.

The province has long harbored separatist sentiments. Historically composed of autonomous tribal states, Baluchistan was forcibly integrated into Pakistan in 1948 following military intervention. The Baloch nationalist movement, which opposes Pakistan’s control over the region, has since endured decades of violent crackdowns, enforced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings by the Pakistani military.

The Pakistani military has signaled that it will intensify its operations against Baloch insurgents in response to this latest attack. The army has stated that “the rules of the game have changed,” a phrase widely interpreted as a commitment to escalating force in the region.

With tensions high and accusations flying between Pakistan, Afghanistan, and India, the situation in Baluchistan is likely to remain volatile. Whether this attack will prompt a reassessment of Islamabad’s strategy or further entrench its military-heavy approach remains to be seen.