Balochistan Liberation Army’s Attack on Jaffer Express: A Turning Point for Pakistan

Recently, the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) launched a significant attack on the Jaffer Express in Pakistan, marking yet another escalation in the ongoing insurgency in the region. The militants first destroyed sections of the railway tracks and then opened fire on the train, resulting in the deaths of more than 20 Pakistani army personnel. Following the assault, they hijacked the train, taking approximately 200 passengers hostage. The Pakistani army responded with a two-day-long rescue operation, eventually eliminating all the BLA fighters involved.

For a country that has long nurtured and exported terrorism to destabilize neighboring regions, particularly Kashmir, this incident represents a bitter irony. Pakistan, once the epicenter of global jihadist networks, is now experiencing the consequences of its own policies. The very extremist forces it once harbored have turned against it, leading to widespread unrest and instability within its own borders.

Why Is Balochistan in Revolt?

Balochistan has been a center of resistance against Pakistani rule for decades. Despite being rich in natural resources, the province has suffered from state neglect, economic exploitation, and brutal military crackdowns. The people of Balochistan, deeply disillusioned with Pakistan’s governance, have formed several militant groups demanding complete independence from Islamabad. Among them, the BLA is the most prominent.

The Jaffer Express has been a prime target for Baloch insurgents due to its strategic importance. Connecting Quetta to major Pakistani cities, the train serves as a key transport route for military personnel, police, and paramilitary forces stationed in Balochistan. By attacking this train, the BLA aimed to send a strong message to the Pakistani state while capturing security personnel as hostages. The attack was carried out by elite units of the BLA, including the Majeed Brigade, Fateh Squad, and Stos Brigades. However, it is noteworthy that the insurgents deliberately released children, the elderly, and Baloch passengers before taking control of the train, highlighting their intent to target only Pakistani security forces.

The Root Cause: Enforced Disappearances and Human Rights Violations

One of the primary reasons behind the growing Baloch insurgency is the issue of enforced disappearances. Thousands of Baloch men, mostly aged between 18 and 49, have been abducted by Pakistani security forces under the pretext of counterterrorism operations. Families of the disappeared are often met with silence or blatant denials when they seek information from military authorities.

One of the most vocal activists on this issue is Mahram Baloch, who has tirelessly campaigned for justice for the missing persons of Balochistan. She has repeatedly attempted to bring international attention to Pakistan’s atrocities in the region. However, when she tried to stage protests in mainland Pakistan, she was met with brutal harassment and torture at the hands of the Pakistani military.

The BLA and other Baloch activists have repeatedly put forward demands to the Pakistani state, but they remain unanswered. Their key demands include:

·        Clarification on the fate of the disappeared persons – Are they alive or dead? If they are dead, their families at least deserve to know where their graves are so they can offer Namaz-e-Janaza (funeral prayers) and find closure.

·        Immediate release of political prisoners who have been jailed for speaking against state oppression.

·        An end to military operations and state-sponsored violence against the Baloch people.

Pakistan’s Waning Control Over Its Own Territory

The crisis in Balochistan is not an isolated incident; it reflects a much larger problem within Pakistan. Every day, attacks are carried out in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, further exposing the deteriorating security situation. While Balochistan itself comprises 44% of Pakistan’s total land area, it is estimated that more than 60% of Pakistan’s territory is now beyond the government’s effective control. This includes not just Balochistan but also parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and tribal regions where insurgent groups operate with impunity. The problem extends to other areas too which may be considered grey areas.

Instead of addressing the root causes of the insurgency, Pakistan has relied on brute force to suppress the Baloch struggle. Branding an entire ethnic group as “traitors” or “terrorists” has only deepened the divide between the province and the central government. While Pakistan has always accused India and other external forces of supporting the Baloch insurgency, the reality is that its own oppressive policies have created an environment where resistance is the only option left for the people of Balochistan.

The attack on the Jaffer Express is a reminder that Pakistan’s own people are now rising against the state. What Pakistan once sowed—through its support for terrorism and extremism—it is now reaping in its own backyard. The question remains: will Pakistan continue down this path of military oppression, or will it finally address the long-standing grievances of the Baloch people before the situation spirals completely out of control?

The Key Insurgent Groups Destabilizing Pakistan

Pakistan is grappling with an escalating security crisis, as multiple insurgencies continue to destabilize the nation. The country is besieged by militant groups that openly challenge the authority of the state, pushing Pakistan into a deeper quagmire of violence and insecurity.

1.     Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP): This militant faction has been responsible for a series of deadly attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, seeking to impose its hardline interpretation of Sharia law. The TTP has leveraged Afghanistan’s uncertain political climate to strengthen its foothold, carrying out cross-border attacks that place enormous pressure on Pakistan’s security apparatus.

2.     Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA): A prominent separatist group, the BLA operates primarily in Balochistan, carrying out attacks on security forces, infrastructure, and Chinese projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The group frames its activities as a struggle against state exploitation and the suppression of Baloch identity.

3.     Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP): As the South Asian branch of ISIS, ISKP has conducted numerous high-casualty bombings and sectarian attacks in Pakistan’s urban centers, targeting law enforcement and religious minorities. The group’s violent extremism exacerbates sectarian tensions, particularly in Sindh and Punjab.

4.     Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ): Notorious for its sectarian violence, LeJ has been responsible for massacres targeting Shia Muslims and other minority groups. Its presence across Punjab and Karachi has fueled instability and deepened Pakistan’s sectarian divide.

Worsening Security Landscape and Regional Ramifications

Despite numerous counterterrorism operations, Pakistan’s efforts to curb insurgency have yielded limited success. Political turmoil, economic crises, and governance failures have hampered its ability to implement a cohesive security strategy. Militancy continues to fester, posing a serious risk not just for Pakistan but for the broader South Asian region.

The growing influence of these militant factions threatens to spill across Pakistan’s borders, impacting neighboring countries like India, Afghanistan, and Iran. Cross-border militant activity could further strain diplomatic relations, while the persistent instability undermines regional security cooperation. Unless Pakistan shifts its approach from military suppression to genuine political and economic reforms, it risks losing control over even larger portions of its territory.