A powerful explosion rocked a railway track near Jacobabad, Balochistan, derailing six coaches of the Jaffar Express traveling from Quetta to Peshawar. The blast, suspected to be caused by an improvised explosive device (IED), created a three-foot-wide crater and damaged six feet of track, halting a vital rail link. No casualties were reported, but several passengers sustained minor injuries. This incident, occurring months after the train’s hijacking by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) in March 2025, raises serious concerns about the security of Pakistan’s railway network.
A Troubled History
The Jaffar Express has become a frequent target for separatist attacks in Balochistan, a region plagued by insurgency. In March 2025, the BLA hijacked the train near Sibi, holding over 400 passengers hostage for 30 hours, resulting in 28 deaths, including 21 hostages and four soldiers. The latest explosion mirrors earlier attacks, such as a November 2024 suicide bombing at Quetta station that killed 30. Authorities suspect the BLA, which seeks Balochistan’s independence, accusing Islamabad of exploiting the province’s resources. The group’s growing audacity highlights Pakistan’s struggle to secure its infrastructure amid escalating separatist violence.
Response and Investigation
Pakistan Railways suspended operations between Balochistan and Punjab-Sindh provinces, deploying engineers to repair the damaged track, a process estimated to take 12 hours. Police secured the area, and rescue teams evacuated passengers, with some transferred to Quetta by bus. The investigation focuses on identifying the perpetrators, with early evidence pointing to an IED planted by Baloch militants. Enhanced security measures, including surveillance drones and CCTV, are being implemented to prevent future attacks.
Jaffar Express attacked again
The derailment underscores Balochistan’s volatile security situation, where 95% of Pakistan’s 2024 terrorist attacks occurred. The BLA’s repeated targeting of the Jaffar Express signals a failure to address the root causes of the insurgency, including economic marginalization. As Pakistan grapples with internal chaos, this incident amplifies calls for a rights-based approach to resolve Balochistan’s grievances, with global condemnation urging a peaceful solution.
