The Balochistan Liberation Army has taken responsibility for an attack on a train en route from Quetta to Peshawar.
According to railway officials, over 400 passengers were aboard the Jaffar Express when it was targeted on Tuesday while en route from Quetta, the provincial capital, to the northern city of Peshawar.
Shahid Rind, a provincial spokesperson, announced an emergency at a major hospital in Sibi city, 160km southeast of Quetta, after reports of intense gunfire aimed at the train.
The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist group, has claimed responsibility, stating that six military personnel were killed and warning of reprisal actions if security forces intervene.
The military has not commented on the incident yet.
The 1,600km journey from Quetta to Peshawar usually takes more than 30 hours with over 30 scheduled stops.
Train services had been suspended for two months following a BLA-claimed attack before resuming in October.
Balochistan is a province abundant in minerals and natural resources and has been the scene of a longstanding conflict between the government and Baloch ethnic separatists, who seek independence from Pakistan.
Recently, there have been attacks targeting Chinese interests and nationals involved in projects along the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a $62bn development project. Despite military operations, these attacks have continued.
BLA ‘Growing in Strength’
In January, a security report by the Pak Institute of Peace Studies (PIPS) in Islamabad warned that the situation in Balochistan was “alarming,” with over 150 attacks recorded the previous year, a 119% increase over the previous year’s tally.
Last month, a BLA assault in Balochistan’s Kalat city resulted in the deaths of at least 18 soldiers.
Muhammad Shoaib, a security analyst and academic, stated that BLA attacks have not only increased in frequency but also in severity.
“The organization has strengthened in recent years, improving its propaganda, recruitment, target selection, intelligence gathering, and adaptability,” Shoaib told Al Jazeera, adding that BLA has adeptly used social media to spread its message and attract educated youth.
“Simply put, it has become adept at maintaining media attention and taxing the state’s resources on multiple fronts,” Shoaib said, noting signs of an uptick in BLA recruitment.
“It can now allocate more resources and personnel for operations,” Shoaib concluded.
This is a developing story. Further details will be provided as they become available.
