Fri Mar 14 06:07:30 UTC 2025: ## Pakistani Military Rescues Hundreds from Hijacked Train in Balochistan
**QUETTA, PAKISTAN —** Pakistani security forces ended a 30-hour siege on Thursday, rescuing over 300 passengers from the Jaffar Express passenger train after it was hijacked by Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) militants on Tuesday. The attack, which involved a bomb blast and rocket fire, resulted in the deaths of 21 civilians and four soldiers, according to the military. All 33 militants were killed during the rescue operation.
The train, traveling from Quetta to Peshawar with 440 passengers onboard, was ambushed in Balochistan’s remote Bolan area. The militants first detonated an explosive under the engine, derailing the train before taking passengers hostage. One survivor recounted the terrifying experience, describing how the attackers held passengers at gunpoint until the military launched a daring rescue operation.
Lt.-Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, the chief military spokesperson, confirmed the death toll and emphasized that no civilians were harmed during the final military operation. He highlighted the challenging terrain and the swift response involving the Army, Air Force, and Frontier Corps.
This marks the first time a passenger train has been hijacked by insurgents in Balochistan, although attacks on security forces and infrastructure have increased in the region over the past year. The incident underscores the ongoing security challenges faced by Pakistan in the Balochistan province.
First Piper 