Insurgency Incident Involving the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA)
On March 11, insurgents from the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) intercepted a train, the Jaffar Express, in a mountainous region south of Quetta, taking passengers hostage.
- The BLA claimed to have killed 20 Pakistani Army personnel and shot down a military drone.
- They reportedly took 182 people hostage, including active-duty personnel from the Pak Army, Inter-Services Intelligence, and Anti-Terrorism Force.
- Security forces stated that 16 militants were killed, and approximately 100 passengers were rescued.
The Jaffar Express
The Jaffar Express, a nine-coach train, was heading from Quetta to Peshawar when it was targeted in the Bolan area of the Kachhi district.
- The train carries about 500 passengers and has historically been affected by Baloch militancy.
- Previously, the train's operations faced disruption due to BLA bombings, including the destruction of railway infrastructure.
Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and Majeed Brigade
The BLA is an ethnonationalist group aiming for Balochistan's independence.
- Pakistan banned the BLA in 2006, and it was designated a global terrorist organization by the US in 2019.
- The operation involved the BLA's “fidayeen” unit, the Majeed Brigade, active since 2011.
Background and Context of the Baloch Insurgency
Balochistan, Pakistan's largest province, is resource-rich but economically lagging, leading to long-standing grievances.
- It was initially independent post-Partition but joined Pakistan under pressure.
- Ethnic Baloch leaders accuse the central government of neglect and resource monopolization.
- The insurgency has led to tens of thousands of deaths over the decades.
- Baloch insurgents have targeted Chinese assets involved in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) due to perceived inequities in economic benefits.