Pakistan's security agencies are in an operation against the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) after the group attacked a train on Tuesday. The Jaffar Express, which was headed from Quetta in Balochistan to Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, was ambushed. Everything that is known about the attack, the authorities' response, and the conflict in Balochistan is as follows.

What happened to the Jaffar Express?

The Jaffar Express had over 400 passengers, including women, children, and security officials. It departed Quetta at 9 a.m. (04:00 GMT) on Tuesday on a trip of over 1,600 km (994 miles) via Punjab to Peshawar that would normally take around 30 hours with halts at around 30 stations.

The attack was launched at about 1 p.m. (08:00 GMT) when the train crossed Bolan Pass, a hilly and mountainous area that had many tunnels constructed during the British colonial era.

The militants attacked the train around Sibi city, located approximately 160 km (100 miles) from Quetta. The BLA took responsibility for the attack, stating that they had exploded a part of the track and murdered at least six soldiers.

How did the passengers manage to escape the attack?

Despite the dangerous environment, approximately 70 passengers, including women, children, and elderly individuals, were able to make it safely to the Panir railway station, which is roughly 6 km (4 miles) away from the targeted area.

Pakistan Railways spokesperson Rana Farrukh of Quetta verified that the passengers had to travel on foot on the railway line to escape harm. No additional information was shared regarding the passengers' health, however.

Who took responsibility for the attack?

Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist organization that seeks the independence of Balochistan from Pakistan, said it had carried out the attack.

In a statement, the BLA said it had killed six soldiers and threatened that any response by the military would be met with "severe consequences." The organization also said some passengers had been held hostage, but most had escaped.

Pakistan's military has yet to release an official response to the attack or the claims of the BLA.

How did the government react?

Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi condemned the attack, terming, “The beasts who fire on innocent passengers do not deserve any concessions.”

Sibi and Quetta hospitals were put on high alert to treat any injured passengers, but no victims had been admitted to the hospitals as of late Tuesday night.

Security officials stated that the attackers are employing some women and children as human shields, which is making the military operation more difficult. Mobile connectivity in the region is also weak, and it is hard to receive timely updates.

Why is Balochistan a conflict zone?

Balochistan is the largest province of Pakistan in terms of area but is underdeveloped even though it is rich in natural resources such as copper and gas. The province is inhabited by approximately 15 million people.

Baloch separatist organizations have long accused the Pakistani state of repression, including abductions and persecution of those who criticize the government.

The conflict escalated after the initiation of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor(CPEC), a $62 billion development initiative. The BLA has conducted a number of attacks on Chinese interests, including the Gwadar Port, which is the focal point of CPEC. A number of Chinese nationals have been killed in these attacks.

Has the Jaffar Express been attacked before?

Yes, the Jaffar Express has been attacked several times in the past.

Last year, BLA militants detonated a portion of the track, which suspended train operations for two months.

In November, a suicide attack at Quetta railway station targeted the Jaffar Express at the point of departure, killing at least 30 individuals, including security officials.

Analysts perceive the BLA to have become more powerful in the past few years, from conducting small-scale attacks to carrying out large-scale operations.

Balochistan expert Malik Siraj Akbar opined that the BLA now conducts large-scale attacks such as the Jaffar Express one, demonstrating confidence and capability.

Political analyst Rafiullah Kakar stated the BLA had reinforced its command structure, providing field militants with more direct control. Access to modern weapons, including some left behind by US troops in Afghanistan, has also rendered their attacks more deadly.

Why is the state struggling to stop the BLA?

Islamabad-based Pak Institute of Peace Studies (PIPS) said there was a 119% rise in attacks in Balochistan during the past year, with more than 150 incidents reported.

Akbar thinks that the military strategy is archaic and inept. He said the BLA has a great advantage because their understanding of the terrain of this region is more comprehensive, as they mostly hire personnel from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab.

Kakar further added that political instability in Balochistan is aggravating the issue. The province has seen six separate chief ministers in the last 10 years. Political instability has undermined democratic institutions and enabled the BLA to raise more militants.

Kakar feels that the government's inability to address the economic and political issues of the Baloch people is driving the insurgency.

“The biggest beneficiaries of this growing state-citizen divide have been Baloch insurgents, who are increasingly able to recruit young men willing to embark on suicidal missions,” he said.

Akbar agreed, saying that the state’s response is more focused on optics than justice. “The government seems more concerned with parading a few dead bodies on camera and claiming swift retaliation,” he said.

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