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India.com
20-05-2025
- Politics
- India.com
BLA Releases 35-Minute Chilling Jaffar Express Hijack Video, Threatens More Attacks In Pakistan
Two months following the sensational hijacking of the Jaffar Express in Balochistan, the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has now come out with a 35-minute video explaining the operation, directly refuting Pakistan's account of events involving the March 11 hijacking. The video, published by the BLA's media division Hakkal, provides the first detailed visual report of the hijacking, operated under codename Darra-e-Bolan 2.0. The clip shows the time BLA militants detonated railway tracks and hijacked the Peshawar-bound passenger train that had more than 450 passengers onboard at the time. According to the BLA, its militants occupied the train for two days, holding over 200 Pakistani security personnel, including railway staff, hostage. The separatist outfit asserts that the operation was designed to inflict a heavy blow on what it termed the "occupying Pakistani state." #Breaking The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has released a 35-minute video documenting its attack and hijacking of the Jaffar Express train. The footage shows BLA fighters conducting clearance operations inside the train. It also captures scenes where women, children, and the… — Hakeem Baloch (@HakeemWadhela) May 18, 2025 Pakistan's army had previously said that the standoff was over after a 30-hour operation in which all 33 BLA fighters who were involved were killed. Authorities also said they killed 23 soldiers, three railway staff, and five passengers. The newly circulated BLA video contradicted these allegations, featuring what it claims are coordinated movements by its combatants and low casualties on their side. The clip begins with a declaration from a masked BLA combatant, justifying the intention of the operation. "Our struggle and war has come to a point where we are to take such critical decisions," he said. "A gun is needed to halt the gun… Baloch young men have taken the decision today to attack the enemy without any hesitation." Videography also featured combat briefings, training scenes of the group's Fidayeen unit — the Majeed Brigade — and goodbye messages from its fighters. The BLA highlights discipline and readiness of its fighters, in contrast with the Pakistani Army's depiction of the operation as chaotic and indiscriminate. Notably, the video also depicted women, children, and elderly commuters being led out safely from the train, contravening Pakistan's allegations of brutality and indiscriminate violence throughout the siege. The video release is a break from BLA's visual propaganda, intended to reinforce its narrative and discredit Pakistan's narrative. The group reaffirmed its resolve to pursue the armed struggle for the independence of Balochistan, threatening Pakistani authorities that "they would not last long in Balochistan." The hijacking, one of the most prominent attacks in recent history, has once again raised concerns regarding security in the conflict-ridden region and indicated the increasing capabilities of insurgent forces operating in Balochistan.
Hindustan Times
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
BLA militants release detailed video on Pakistan train hijack to rebut claims by military
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) militants released a full video to give a detailed account of their hijack of Jaffar Express in March this year to rebut claims by the Pakistani military that the group launched an indiscriminate attack on women and children. According to official estimates, 31 soldiers and civilians were killed in the attack as the Pakistan army launched a 'full scale' operation to rescue over 300 hostages held hostage by BLA gunmen who blew up the railway track to hijack the Peshawar-bound train with over 400 passengers. Also read | Video shows how Baloch militants attacked, hijacked Jaffar Express train in Pakistan The insurgent group, fighting the Pakistani State to gain independence for Balochistan, had demanded the government to release its jailed members as a key demand to release the hostages. The recent video is the first comprehensive account of how the attack, named 'Operation Darr-e-Bolan', was planned and executed by the group. It begins with visuals of alleged repression of ethnic Balochis being repressed by Pakistan's security forces and families grieving the loss of their members. HT could not independently verify the authenticity of the video. A BLA fighter then explains the motivation for the attack. 'Our struggle and war has come to a point where we are to take such critical decisions. Our young people are equipped to take such steps, for they are aware that except such decisions there are no other options left. A gun is needed to halt the gun. The sound that comes out of a gunshot may reach a point,' the man said. 'Baloch young men have taken the decision today to attack the enemy without any hesitation and care about their lives. Today if a son is leaving his father behind to sacrifice his life, so is a father leaving his son behind to sacrifice himself for the cause,' he added. The video shows armed men receiving 'fidayeen training', final combat briefing and how they executed the attack by 'adhering to the standards of international warfare.' The group claimed that it held only Pakistani military personnel as hostages and released civilians, including women and children.
India Today
19-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Baloch rebels release video of Jaffar Express hijack, counter Pak narrative
Two months after the Jaffar Express, a passenger train with 450 passengers onboard, was hijacked in Balochistan, the Baloch Liberation Army's media wing Hakkal released a detailed 35-minute video documenting its Baloch Liberation Army, a separatist group seeking Balochistan's secession from Pakistan, hijacked the Peshawar-bound Jaffar Express on March 11 after blowing up the railway tracks. Codenamed Darra-e-Bolan 2.0, the operation went on for two days when BLA fighters hijacked the train and held passengers hostage, sending waves of panic across Pakistan. After the operation, Pakistan claimed that the Baloch rebels faced heavy losses - a claim the video The video provides the first comprehensive visual account of the operation and reveals BLA fighters executing a coordinated clearance operation onboard the train. It shows the Baloch rebels planning the operation, receiving combat briefings and training before they stormed the Liberation Army media #Hakkal published video of the #JaffarExpress Hijack (Operation Darra-E-Bolan 2.0)#Balochistan Bahot | (@bahot_baluch) May 18, 2025The 30-minute video also shows how the Baloch rebels bombed the track and hijacked the train, holding over 200 Pakistani officials hostage for two also includes scenes of women, children, and the elderly being safely escorted away from the hijack site, contradicting narratives from Pakistan's military that labelled the incident as indiscriminate and video begins with a BLA fighter delivering a statement to underscore the motivations behind the attack, "Our struggle and war has come to a point where we are to take such critical decisions. Our young people are equipped to take such steps, for they are aware that except such decisions there are no other options left. A gun is needed to halt the gun. The sound that comes out of a gunshot may reach a point."advertisementHe added, "Baloch young men have taken the decision today to attack the enemy without any hesitation and care about their lives. Today if a son is leaving his father behind to sacrifice his life, so is a father leaving his son behind to sacrifice himself for the cause."The video then shows visuals of Fidayeen unit's training where a man explains the positioning for every rebel. The aim of the operation was to "Inflict the deadliest blow on the occupied Pakistani state" and "convey a clear and loud message to the occupying state that its officials would not last long in Balochistan."The group also showcased names, photographs, and farewell messages from its Fidayeen unit, the Majeed Brigade, indicating minimal casualties and asserting the strength of their the incident, the Pakistani Army said the siege ended after a 30-hour operation in which all the 33 rebels were killed. The Army claimed that 23 soldiers, three railway employees and five passengers had died in the attack. However, Balochistan Liberation Army, a separatist group seeking Balochistan's secession from Pakistan, claimed to have killed all 214 Pakistani military hostages taken in train hijack incident.
News18
19-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
'Our War Has Come To A Point Where...': Baloch Militants Release Video Of Jaffar Express Hijacking
Last Updated: The Pakistan Army lost 28 of its soldiers in the Jaffar Express hijacking, which was a huge embarrassment for the all-powerful military in the country. The Baloch Liberation Army's media wing, Hakkal, has released a detailed video of the hijacking of the Jaffar Express in March, where the group bombed a remote railway track in mountainous southwest Balochistan and stormed a train with around 450 passengers on board. The Baloch outfit dubbed the hijacking 'Operation Darra-e-Bolan 2.0," which unfolded in Bolan, located in Pakistan's province of Balochistan. The video shows the BLA's orchestrated assault on Pakistani military forces and preparedness, including Fiyadeen training and combat briefings, where senior militants disclosed plans about halting the train, taking hostages and assaulting military helicopters. The 30-minute video also showed dramatic footage of the March 11 attack on Jaffar Express, where BLA fighters, especially members of the Majid Brigade, Fateh Squad, and Special Tactical Operations Squad, bombed the railway track and engaged Pakistani troops while capturing the Peshawar-bound train and holding hostages. In the video, one of the militants was heard saying, 'Our struggle and war have come to a point where we are to take such difficult decisions. Our young people are equipped to take such steps, for they are aware that there is no option left other than such decisions." 'A gun is needed to halt the gun… Young Baloch men have taken the decision today to attack the enemy without any hesitation or care about their lives. If a son is leaving his father behind to sacrifice his life, a father is also leaving his son behind to sacrifice himself for the cause," he added. BLA fighters accused Pakistan of extrajudicially killing Baloch people and taking the Balochistan province to ruination. One of them slammed the United Nations and human rights organisations of remaining silent over the Baloch 'genocide". The video also included the names of 'fallen heroes" who were killed during the confrontation with the military while pledging to continue their fight 'until total victory", and that the days of the Pakistani military were numbered. The attack came as a huge embarrassment for the Pakistani establishment, and the bodies of at least 25 people, including 21 hostages, were retrieved from the train hijack site. The Pakistani army claims that it freed more than 340 train passengers in a two-day rescue operation that ended late on Wednesday. It also said that 28 soldiers died, including 27 off-duty soldiers. The BLA disputed these numbers and said it had killed 50 soldiers and executed 214 hostages, after the Pakistani army disregarded a 48-hour ultimatum to exchange prisoners of war. This came days after Baloch leaders, including activist Mir Yar Baloch, declared Balochistan's independence from Pakistan. 'We have claimed our independence and we request India to allow Balochistan's official office, and embassy in Delhi," said Mir. Pakistan later began a large-scale crackdown in Balochistan, suspending internet and electricity services in several areas. Watch India Pakistan Breaking News on CNN-News18. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: May 19, 2025, 12:43 IST
Express Tribune
16-04-2025
- Express Tribune
Quetta-bound trains security tightened
The locomotive of Jaffar Express is decorated as the train departs for Quetta from Peshawar Cantt Station. PHOTO: APP In the wake of last month's attack on the Jaffar Express, stringent security measures have been implemented for trains operating between Quetta and other cities, including Lahore. The number of security personnel deployed has been increased from 11 to 40, Inspector General of Railways Police Rao Muhammad Tahir told The Express Tribune. According to IG Tahir, boundary walls will be constructed at Quetta, Sibi and Mach railway stations to enhance security. Watchtowers will also be built at these locations, and trained snipers will be deployed to ensure better surveillance and response capability. Meanwhile, efforts are also being made to curb theft of railway material. According to IG Tahir, personnel going off duty will now be required to record video footage before handing over charge to their replacements to improve accountability and reduce pilferage. The IG further said that a decisive crackdown will be launched against land grabbers, and all encroached railway land will be retrieved at any cost. In order to improve daily operations, all police stations under the railways have been supplied with essential stationery and basic items required for routine work. Moreover, a summary has been sent for the upgradation of railway police personnel's pay scales to bring them at par with other law enforcement forces. The Jaffar Express came under attack on March 11 when Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) militants ambushed the Peshawar-bound train, which was carrying 440 passengers. The assailants opened fire and took hostages, prompting a security operation that lasted two days. Immediately after the attack, the security at train stations across the country had beefed up. Earlier this week, the Ministry of Railways informed the National Assembly that security has been ramped up with increased deployment of Pakistan Railways Police (PRP) and Frontier Corps (FC) personnel at railway stations across Quetta Division. Additional security has also been provided on the Jaffar and Bolan Express trains running between Quetta and Jacobabad. Responding in writing to a question by MNA Shahida Rehmani, the ministry said FC personnel have been stationed at key railway stations in the region, with pickets set up in hilly stretches between Mach and Sibi. As an added precaution, a pilot engine now precedes the Jaffar Express daily from Quetta to Sibi to ensure the track is clear of any threats.
