New Delhi (10) – On Tuesday, separatist militants attacked the Jafar Express passenger train carrying about 500 people in southwestern Pakistan’s Balochistan province. The militants fired a rocket at the train as it was traveling from Quetta to Peshawar, causing it to derail. The motorman was later killed in the gunfire by the militants. Pakistan’s rescue operation has ended and the army has managed to rescue more than 300 passengers in this operation. 33 militants and 21 hostages have been killed, PTI has learnt.Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed grief and condemnation over the cowardly attack by the militants. “Such cowardly acts will not shake Pakistan’s resolve for peace,” he said on his social media handle X. Home Minister Mohsin Naqvi also strongly condemned the attack, referring to the terrorists who killed innocent passengers as “animals”.Speaking to the media, Lieutenant General Sharif said, “The armed forces successfully completed the operation by driving all the terrorists out of the Yamsadan on Wednesday evening and rescuing all the passengers.”The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for the attack, claiming to have taken 214 passengers, including active duty personnel, hostage and killed 50 security personnel. However, this claim has not yet been verified.The Balochistan government also took immediate steps, recognizing the seriousness of the situation, and initiated emergency measures. To save the passengers, security guards opened fire on the militants and tried to bring the situation under control. Hundreds of troops and helicopter teams were deployed in the mountainous and remote area where the train was stopped by militants.Balochistan province in Pakistan, though geographically large, has a small population. It has been plagued by insurgent violence for many years. Balochistan’s porous border with Iran also contributes to instability in Balochistan. Iran and Pakistan accuse each other of supporting terrorists. Islamabad has also accused India of supporting the insurgency. India has denied this.Analysts who study international affairs and wars believe that the ongoing violence could lead to instability and economic challenges for Pakistan. Previously, the terrorist organization BLL has targeted Pakistani security forces, Chinese citizens, and Sino-Pakistani infrastructure projects. Furthermore, experts have also expressed the view that BALL’s actions may reduce local support due to the deaths of migrant citizens.The region has been plagued by violent acts by militants like the BLA for years. The group says the government is exploiting Balochistan’s gas reserves and natural mineral wealth, unfairly distributing it to the local population. BLL is seeking a large share of these mineral resources.The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) had given a 48-hour ultimatum to the Pakistani government, saying that They had threatened to execute the kidnappers and completely destroy the train if the Pakistani army did not release the kidnapped Baloch political prisoners, activists, and missing persons and the military intervention continued. The BLL militants were wearing suicide vests and sitting next to the hostages, making the rescue operation challenging from the safety of the civilians.China has also condemned the attack and has affirmed that China stands with Pakistan in its fight against terrorism. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a press conference, “We have taken note of these reports and strongly condemn this terrorist attack.”
Dr. Anupriya Gaikwad
Reporting for True to Life News Media Pvt. Ltd.