BALOCH LIBERATION ARMY CLAIMS RESPONSIBILITY FOR PAKISTANI TRAIN ATTACK

An Emirati Magazine publication – Released on March 12, 2025 | www.emiratimagazine.com

The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist militant group, has claimed responsibility for the recent attack on the Jaffar Express in Balochistan, southwestern Pakistan. The train, en route from Quetta to Peshawar, was ambushed and hijacked inside a tunnel, with the militants taking passengers hostage.

Active since 2011, the BLA is the most prominent separatist group in Balochistan and has been designated a terrorist organization by both Pakistan and the United States. The group alleges that Pakistan annexed Balochistan unfairly in 1948, forcing the then-ruler, the Khan of Kalat, to sign an accession agreement. They argue that Pakistan exploits the province’s vast oil and mineral resources without benefiting its residents.

The BLA has frequently targeted infrastructure and security forces in the region and has also carried out attacks on Chinese nationals working in Balochistan. The group continues to push for the province’s independence and local control over its resources.