Pakistani security forces have been engaged in a fierce standoff with armed militants following the seizure of a passenger train on Tuesday, which resulted in hundreds of people being held hostage. This incident represents a significant escalation of the ongoing separatist conflict in the southwest region of the country.
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a banned separatist group, took control of the train, which was carrying over 400 individuals, in a remote mountainous area. The group claimed to be holding at least 214 people, including military personnel and law enforcement officers, and demanded the release of their imprisoned members within 48 hours, threatening to execute the hostages if their demands were not met.
By Wednesday morning, authorities reported that more than 150 hostages had been rescued, but the fate of the remaining passengers remained uncertain. At least 27 militants had been killed during the rescue operation, and hostages were being held at three separate locations. Information regarding the event has been challenging to verify due to limited communication and internet connectivity in the remote region.
Muhammad Ashraf, one of the freed passengers, described the intense moments during the attack, when everyone took cover and tried to shield themselves from bullets. The militants later released women and children but kept the rest hostage.
Baluchistan, a sparsely populated province bordering Iran and Afghanistan, has long experienced separatist violence and insurgent activity. The region is also the site of significant China-led projects, including a strategic port. Ethnic separatist groups have been gaining momentum, targeting security forces and Chinese citizens involved in infrastructure projects.
Experts argue that separatist groups have become more sophisticated in their operations, now employing tactics such as suicide bombings previously associated primarily with Islamist militants. The BLA’s ability to hijack a train with precision suggests an advanced intelligence-gathering network and strategic planning. Just last week, an alliance of separatist groups, including the BLA, announced plans to intensify attacks on Pakistani security forces, infrastructure, and Chinese interests in the region.
The BLA has been responsible for some of Pakistan’s deadliest terrorist attacks, including a suicide bombing that killed at least 25 people, including security personnel, at a busy railway station in Quetta, as well as a bombing targeting a convoy carrying Chinese nationals near Karachi’s international airport.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/12/world/asia/pakistan-militants-train-hostages.html
