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The Hindu
12 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Pakistan suspends train services after railway bombing in insurgency-hit Balochistan
Pakistan's railways on Monday (August 11, 2025) suspended all train services to and from an insurgency-hit southwestern province for four days after separatists blew up a railway track, derailing six cars of a passenger train, officials said. No one was harmed in the attack Sunday (August 11, 2025) in Mastung, a district in Balochistan, said railways spokesman Ikram Ullah. 'Engineers were repairing the damaged track,' he said. 'The Jaffer Express was traveling from Quetta, the provincial capital, to the northern city of Peshawar when assailants targeted it with a bomb,' Mr. Ullah said. The banned Baloch Liberation Army, in a statement, claimed responsibility for the attack, which comes months after BLA fighters hijacked a train in the same district, killing 21 hostages before security forces were able to kill 33 assailants. The attack came as Pakistan prepares to mark its 78th Independence Day on August 14. Balochistan has long been the scene of insurgency by separatists seeking independence from the central government. The province is also home to militants linked to the Pakistani Taliban. Local administrator Shahid Khan said the government-imposed curfews in some areas of the district of Bajaur along the Afghan border in the troubled northwest and advised residents to stay indoors, prompting many to flee to safer places in preparation for a possible security operation against the Pakistani Taliban. Bajaur was once a stronghold of the Pakistani Taliban, who are known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, and the group has resurfaced there. TTP is a separate group but closely allied to the Afghan Taliban.
News18
18 hours ago
- Politics
- News18
Pakistan Suspends Rail Services In Balochistan After Militants Derail Train In IED Blast
Last Updated: Sunday's bombing comes just months after BLA fighters hijacked a train in the same district, killing 21 hostages before security forces intervened Pakistan on Monday suspended all train services to and from the southwestern province of Balochistan for four days after separatist militants blew up a section of railway track, causing a passenger train to derail. The incident took place on Sunday near Spezand Railway Station, around 25 kilometres from Quetta, the provincial capital. According to railway authorities, the Jaffer Express was travelling from Quetta to Peshawar when a bomb exploded under the track, derailing six of its carriages. The train had around 350 passengers on board. No one was injured in the attack. Railways spokesperson Ikram Ullah said engineers are currently working to repair the damaged section of the track. Ullah confirmed that the suspension of services is a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of passengers and staff. The banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the bombing. In a statement, the group said it had deliberately targeted the train. The BLA has been involved in numerous attacks in the region and has long demanded independence for Balochistan, accusing the central government of exploiting the province's natural resources. Sunday's bombing comes just months after BLA fighters hijacked a train in the same district, killing 21 hostages before security forces intervened, killing 33 militants. The latest attack has raised fresh concerns over security in the lead-up to Pakistan's 78th Independence Day on 14 August. Meanwhile, in a separate development, authorities imposed curfews in parts of Bajaur district in the country's northwest, near the Afghan border. Local official Shahid Khan said the measure was taken to prepare for a possible security operation against the Pakistani Taliban, also known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The TTP, although separate, maintains close ties with the Afghan Taliban and has recently become active in the region again. Balochistan and Bajaur remain two of the most troubled areas in Pakistan, frequently targeted by insurgents and militants. (With inputs from AP) view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Winnipeg Free Press
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Pakistan suspends train services after railway bombing in insurgency-hit Balochistan
QUETTA, Pakistan (AP) — Pakistan's railways on Monday suspended all train services to and from an insurgency-hit southwestern province for four days after separatists blew up a railway track, derailing six cars of a passenger train, officials said. No one was harmed in the attack Sunday in Mastung, a district in Balochistan, said railways spokesman Ikram Ullah. Engineers were repairing the damaged track, he said. The Jaffer Express was traveling from Quetta, the provincial capital, to the northern city of Peshawar when assailants targeted it with a bomb, Ullah said. The banned Baloch Liberation Army, in a statement, claimed responsibility for the attack, which comes months after BLA fighters hijacked a train in the same district, killing 21 hostages before security forces were able to kill 33 assailants. The attack came as Pakistan prepares to mark its 78th Independence Day on Aug. 14. Balochistan has long been the scene of insurgency by separatists seeking independence from the central government. The province is also home to militants linked to the Pakistani Taliban. Local administrator Shahid Khan said the government imposed curfews in some areas of the district of Bajaur along the Afghan border in the troubled northwest and advised residents to stay indoors, prompting many to flee to safer places in preparation for a possible security operation against the Pakistani Taliban. Bajaur was once a stronghold of the Pakistani Taliban, who are known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, and the group has resurfaced there. TTP is a separate group but closely allied to the Afghan Taliban.
Arab News
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Arab News
Pakistan suspends train services after railway bombing in insurgency-hit Balochistan
QUETTA: Pakistan's railways on Monday suspended all train services to and from an insurgency-hit southwestern province for four days after separatists blew up a railway track, derailing six cars of a passenger train, officials said. No one was harmed in the attack Sunday in Mastung, a district in Balochistan, said railways spokesman Ikram Ullah. Engineers were repairing the damaged track, he said. The Jaffer Express was traveling from Quetta, the provincial capital, to the northern city of Peshawar when assailants targeted it with a bomb, Ullah said. The banned Baloch Liberation Army, in a statement, claimed responsibility for the attack, which comes months after BLA fighters hijacked a train in the same district, killing 21 hostages before security forces were able to kill 33 assailants. The attack came as Pakistan prepares to mark its 78th Independence Day on Aug. 14. Balochistan has long been the scene of insurgency by separatists seeking independence from the central government. The province is also home to militants linked to the Pakistani Taliban. Local administrator Shahid Khan said the government imposed curfews in some areas of the district of Bajaur along the Afghan border in the troubled northwest and advised residents to stay indoors, prompting many to flee to safer places in preparation for a possible security operation against the Pakistani Taliban. Bajaur was once a stronghold of the Pakistani Taliban, who are known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, and the group has resurfaced there. TTP is a separate group but closely allied to the Afghan Taliban.
Associated Press
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Associated Press
Pakistan suspends train services after railway bombing in insurgency-hit Balochistan
QUETTA, Pakistan (AP) — Pakistan's railways on Monday suspended all train services to and from an insurgency-hit southwestern province for four days after separatists blew up a railway track, derailing six cars of a passenger train, officials said. No one was harmed in the attack Sunday in Mastung, a district in Balochistan, said railways spokesman Ikram Ullah. Engineers were repairing the damaged track, he said. The Jaffer Express was traveling from Quetta, the provincial capital, to the northern city of Peshawar when assailants targeted it with a bomb, Ullah said. The banned Baloch Liberation Army, in a statement, claimed responsibility for the attack, which comes months after BLA fighters hijacked a train in the same district, killing 21 hostages before security forces were able to kill 33 assailants. The attack came as Pakistan prepares to mark its 78th Independence Day on Aug. 14. Balochistan has long been the scene of insurgency by separatists seeking independence from the central government. The province is also home to militants linked to the Pakistani Taliban. Local administrator Shahid Khan said the government imposed curfews in some areas of the district of Bajaur along the Afghan border in the troubled northwest and advised residents to stay indoors, prompting many to flee to safer places in preparation for a possible security operation against the Pakistani Taliban. Bajaur was once a stronghold of the Pakistani Taliban, who are known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, and the group has resurfaced there. TTP is a separate group but closely allied to the Afghan Taliban.
