Passengers aboard the Jaffar Express recount harrowing moments during a militant hijacking that left many dead and others missing, as the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) laid siege for over 30 hours.**
Chaos in the Bolan Pass: Eyewitness Accounts of the Pakistan Train Hijacking**
Chaos in the Bolan Pass: Eyewitness Accounts of the Pakistan Train Hijacking**
A terrifying attack by militants in the Bolan Pass reveals the dangers and tensions in the troubled Balochistan region of Pakistan.**
On Tuesday, chaos erupted on the Jaffar Express in central Pakistan's Bolan Pass when armed militants attacked the train carrying over 400 passengers. Mehboob Hussain, who was on board, described the moment when an explosion rocked the front of the train followed by immediate gunfire. The train was traveling through the remote and internet-less wilderness of Balochistan when the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attack, demanding the release of political prisoners within 48 hours.
The BLA, labeled a terrorist organization by various nations, has engaged in a long-standing insurgency, aiming for the independence of Balochistan, which they argue has been exploited by the government. While the BLA has targeted military and transport infrastructure before, this marked their first hijacking of a train.
The siege lasted more than 30 hours, with authorities reporting that around 300 of the hostages had been freed by the military, albeit with conflicting accounts of casualties and remaining passengers. Eyewitness accounts describe harrowing scenes as militants stormed the carriages, separating passengers by ethnicity and executing orders to kill if their demands were not met.
Reports from passengers detail how some were allowed to escape, including women, children, and locals. Noor Muhammad recounted how he and his wife were ushered off the train after gunfire subsided, while others endured a frantic night amid gunfire and killings, punctuated by personal tragedies as relatives were shot before their eyes.
The situation escalated in the early hours of Wednesday when paramilitary forces initiated gunfire against the militants. During the following chaos, several hostages seized the opportunity to flee while the attackers' focus shifted. The BLA militants reportedly withdrew partially, with some taking hostages with them into the surrounding terrain.
As the military rallied to secure the area and clear the train of any remaining dangers, questions abound regarding the fate of the 140 passengers still unaccounted for. Survivors like Noor are left reflecting on their harrowing escape, grateful to have returned to their families amidst a backdrop of uncertainty and loss.
