Pakistan blames Afghanistan for orchestrating deadly train hijack

On March 11, 2025, Pakistan experienced a significant security incident in the isolated mountainous area of Balochistan when militants from the Baloch Liberation Army hijacked the Jaffar Express train. The train, carrying over 400 passengers, was traveling from Quetta to Peshawar when insurgents blew up the railway track, halting nine coaches and the engine partially inside a tunnel. During the subsequent 36-hour siege, 21 passengers and four soldiers were killed, with the assailants targeting ethnic Punjabis and individuals suspected of military connections. The incident escalated international concerns regarding the stability of the region. In the wake of the attack, Pakistan's military stated that they had confirmed intelligence reports indicating that the assault was orchestrated and directed by terrorist leaders based in Afghanistan. The military emphasized that the attackers communicated directly with their coordinators in Afghanistan throughout the incident. This revelation comes amidst ongoing tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan over accusations of cross-border terrorism, with Pakistan urging the interim Afghan government to take responsibility and prevent the use of its territory for attacks against Pakistan. The Pakistani prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif, visited Balochistan to meet with survivors and commandos who had rescued over 300 passengers from the hijacking. The military's operation concluded with the killing of all 33 insurgents involved in the assault, but the event drew widespread condemnation from countries such as the United States, China, and Iran. These nations condemned the violence and expressed their support for Pakistan in addressing security challenges. Compounding the issue is the ongoing struggle of the Baloch ethnic minority, which claims discrimination and exploitation by the central government. The BLA has demanded autonomy and has escalated its attacks, indicating a broader pattern of violence and unrest in the region. The incident also highlights a dangerous shift in the dynamics of terrorist activity in South Asia, as Pakistan's military warns that the rules of engagement may change in response to such attacks, which threaten national security and the stability of the regional landscape.