File photo of Jaffar Express. Pakistan Railway
Islamabad/Beijing: A day after the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) seized control of the Jaffar Express train in Balochistan, Pakistan, taking hundreds of passengers hostage, security forces eliminated 27 militants and freed 155 individuals, today. The train en route from Quetta to Peshawar was carrying around 450 passengers at the time of the hijacking.
“The entire nation is deeply shocked by this dastardly act and saddened by the loss of innocent lives—such cowardly acts will not shake Pakistan’s resolve for peace,” Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said while offering his condolences to those who the militants killed.
If Pakistan struggles to prevent such attacks, it could lead to a reduction in Chinese investment or a demand for enhanced security measures, potentially including the deployment of Chinese personnel.
Offering enough indication of such possibilities, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning told reporters in Beijing today that China was ready to “strengthen counterterrorism and security cooperation with Pakistan and jointly keep the region peaceful, secure and stable”. She added, “We will continue to firmly support Pakistan in combating terrorism, maintaining solidarity and social stability, and protecting the safety of the people”.
The CPEC has already encountered numerous obstacles due to the ongoing assaults on Chinese projects by Baloch militants, especially in Balochistan, where vital infrastructure like Gwadar Port is located. These attacks not only threaten to deter future Chinese investments but may also result in delays for crucial CPEC initiatives. The BLA’s ambush on March 11, 2025, which involved explosives on the tracks and gunfire, halted the train in the Bolan Pass region, with initial reports indicating that around 214 hostages were taken, including military personnel, and at least 30 military members lost their lives during the assault.
The militants had issued a 48-hour ultimatum, calling for the release of Baloch political prisoners, activists, and missing persons, while threatening to execute five hostages every hour and destroy a train once the deadline expires.
This alarming development heightened the urgency of rescue operations. In response, Pakistani security forces launched a rescue mission, leading to intense clashes with the militants.
This train hijacking incident in Balochistan has exposed significant security vulnerabilities within the country’s infrastructure, particularly in the railway sector, which is crucial for both civilian transport and economic activities. The hijacking also underscored the increasing operational capabilities of Baloch separatist groups, such as the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), which have escalated their attacks on Pakistani security forces and infrastructure, accusing the government of exploiting local resources without benefiting the local population.
Furthermore, this incident could set a concerning precedent, potentially prompting other militant groups to adopt similar tactics, thereby heightening regional instability. This situation raises serious questions about the Pakistani government’s authority in Balochistan, a region with a long-standing history of separatist movements. The inability to maintain security may undermine public trust in the government and exacerbate tensions between central authorities and Baloch nationalist groups.
In a message from Adiala Jail, where he is imprisoned, former prime minister Imran Khan, who is the chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, stated, “Terrorism is spreading in Balochistan, yet no political solution is being sought for the issue. Stability will not be possible until a government based on public trust is established across the country, including in Balochistan.” He claimed peace in Pakistan “will remain elusive unless the country’s foreign policy with neighbouring countries is independent and sovereign”.
Given these security challenges, there are increasing speculations that China may reconsider its investment strategies, potentially delaying or scaling back investments in high-risk areas or seeking stronger assurances from Pakistan regarding the safety of their projects.
– global bihari bureau
