Security forces free 104 hostages as militants hijack passenger train in Pakistan’s Balochistan

Update Security forces free 104 hostages as militants hijack passenger train in Pakistan’s Balochistan
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assengers who were rescued from a train after it was attacked by separatist militants, walk with their belongings at the Railway Station in Quetta, Balochistan, Pakistan, on March 12, 2025. (REUTERS)
Update Security forces free 104 hostages as militants hijack passenger train in Pakistan’s Balochistan
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Relatives of passengers of a train, which is attacked by militants, get information about passengers from special counter at a railway station in Quetta, Pakistan on March 11, 2025. (AP)
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Updated 12 March 2025
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Security forces free 104 hostages as militants hijack passenger train in Pakistan’s Balochistan

Security forces free 104 hostages as militants hijack passenger train in Pakistan’s Balochistan
  • Security official says 16 militants killed, gunbattle ongoing while militants using women and children as human shields
  • Baloch Liberation Army group says holding 214 people hostage including military, paramilitary, police, intelligence officers

QUETTA/KARACHI: Pakistani security officials said on Tuesday 104 hostages had been freed after separatist militants hijacked a train carrying more than 400 passengers in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province, with a gunbattle raging on hours after the assault began.
A low-level separatist insurgency in Balochistan is one of the chronic security problems undermining stability in Pakistan. The separatists accuse the government of stripping the province’s natural resources and leaving its people mired in poverty. They say security forces routinely abduct, torture and execute ethnic Baloch, accusations echoed by human rights campaigners. Government officials and security forces strongly deny violating human rights and say they are uplifting the province through development projects, including multi-billion-dollar schemes funded by China. Insurgents in the province also target civilians, especially Pakistanis from other ethnic groups who have settled in Balochistan.




Freed train passengers gather at the Mach railway station after Pakistani security forces freed nearly 104 passengers following a security operation against armed militants who ambushed the train in the remote mountainous area, in Mach, southwestern Balochistan province on March 11, 2025. (AN Photo)

The latest attack on the Quetta-Peshawar bound Jaffar Express occurred in Mushkaaf, an area in the mountainous Bolan range of Balochistan. The Baloch Liberation Army, the most prominent among separatist outfits operating in the province, accepted responsibility in a statement sent to the media and said it was holding 214 people hostage.
The Jaffar Express train was hijacked while it was en route to the northwestern city of Peshawar from the provincial capital of Quetta, carrying 425 passengers, according to Muhammad Kashif, a spokesman for Pakistan Railways Quetta Division.




This infographic, created on March 11, 2025, shows route map of Pakistani train Jaffar Express that came under attack in Balochistan province. (Courtesy: Anadolu via Reuters Connect)

“Security forces have safely rescued 104 passengers from the terrorists,” a security official with direct knowledge of the matter said, requesting anonymity and adding that the released people included 58 men, 31 women and 115 children.
He said troops had surrounded the militants and an exchange of fire was ongoing, with 16 insurgents killed.
“The complex operation is being carried out with utmost caution due to the use of women and children as shields and the difficult terrain,” the official added.
“RULES OF WAR”
Balochistan is Pakistan’s largest province by area, covering 347,190 square kilometers and constituting 44 percent of the country’s total landmass. However, the remote province bordering Afghanistan and Iran is the country’s most backward region in terms of nearly all social and economic indicators. There are no Internet and mobile services in nearly 60 percent of the province, according to independent monitors, and areas which have such services often see shutdowns and months-long disruptions due to security reasons.
Speaking to Arab News, Imran Hayat, the divisional superintendent of Pakistan Railways in Quetta, said the department was unable to gather too many details of the attack or communicate with staff aboard the train as militants had carried out the assault in a “no-signal zone.”
“We haven’t retrieved a single body or injured from the area yet due to the communication blackout,” he said.




Relatives of passengers of a train, which is attacked by militants, gather to get information about passengers from special counter at a railway station in Quetta, Pakistan on March 11, 2025. (AP)

The BLA said it had blown up the railway track and taken control of the train.
“Under the rules of war, these 214 hostages are considered prisoners of war and BLA is prepared for a prisoner exchange,” the group said. “The occupying state of Pakistan is given 48 hours to immediately and unconditionally release Baloch political prisoners, forcibly disappeared persons and national resistance activists.”

 


The group warned that the hostages included military, paramilitary, police and intelligence officers, who would be killed if the BLA’s demands were not met within the stipulated period “or if the occupying state attempts any military action during this time.”
The separatists have also recently attacked projects being developed as part of the $65-billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), part of President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative, in Balochistan. The program is also developing a deep-water port close to the new $200-million airport in Gwadar, a joint venture between Pakistan, Oman and China.

 


Pakistan says won’t build new canals, dousing row over key irrigation project

Pakistan says won’t build new canals, dousing row over key irrigation project
Updated 1 min 19 sec ago
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Pakistan says won’t build new canals, dousing row over key irrigation project

Pakistan says won’t build new canals, dousing row over key irrigation project
  • Pakistan’s government launched the project in Feb. to build a network of six canals on the Indus river to irrigate millions of acres of barren lands
  • But critics said the project would trigger water shortages in the southern parts and weeks of protests forced the government to pause it last week

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s government on Monday decided not to build new canals on River Indus, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s office said, following weeks of protests in the southern Sindh province over the key irrigation project.
Pakistan’s government launched the ambitious agricultural project in February to build a network of six canals on the Indus. The government said it aimed to irrigate millions of acres of barren lands and ensure food security for 240 million people of the country.
But critics said the project would trigger water shortages in the southern parts of the country, mainly Sindh. The project sparked protests by lawyers, civil society and supporters of nationalist parties that disrupted trade and traffic on National Highway in Sindh, forcing the government last week to pause it.
On Monday, PM Sharif summoned a meeting of the Council of Common Interests (CCI), a constitutional body aimed at resolving the disputes between the federation and its provinces, to discuss the irrigation project and heightened tensions with New Delhi over a recent attack in Kashmir among other things.
“Federal Government has decided that no new canals will be built without mutual understanding from CCI,” Sharif’s office said in a statement after the meeting. “It has been decided that the Federal Government will not move further until mutual understanding is evolved among the provinces.”
The development comes at a time when India has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan that splits Indus River and its tributaries between Pakistan and India, threatening Pakistan’s food security. Islamabad has described the move as an “act of war” and said it would take “all appropriate steps” to safeguard its due share of water.
Sharif’s office said the government was forming a committee to engage all provincial governments to chart out a long-term consensus roadmap for the development of an agriculture policy and water management infrastructure across Pakistan, adding that water rights of all provinces were enshrined in the Water Apportionment Accord-1991 and Water Policy-2018.
“The committee will propose solutions to Pakistan’s long-term agriculture needs and water use of all provinces in line with the two consensus documents,” it said, adding that any concerns on the proposals would be addressed through due diligence among all stakeholders.
“Water is one of the most precious commodities and the makers of the constitution recognized this, mandating all water disputes to be resolved amicably through mutual understanding.”


Azad Kashmir residents condemn Indian threats to cut water, warn against escalation 

Azad Kashmir residents condemn Indian threats to cut water, warn against escalation 
Updated 35 min 30 sec ago
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Azad Kashmir residents condemn Indian threats to cut water, warn against escalation 

Azad Kashmir residents condemn Indian threats to cut water, warn against escalation 
  • Ties plummeted as Delhi blamed Pakistan of being behind attack last week in Indian-administered Kashmir
  • Both nations have since announced a series of punitive measures against each other aimed to downgrade ties 

CHAKOTHI, Pakistan: Residents of Chakothi, a town in Pakistan-administered Kashmir situated on the Line of Control with India, have condemned Indian threats to cut off water supply and warned against any escalation to war.

The latest diplomatic crisis between the cross-border neighbors was triggered by the killing of 26 men at a popular tourist destination in Indian-administered Kashmir on Tuesday April 22, in the worst attack on civilians in India since the 2008 Mumbai shootings.

India blames Pakistan for the attack. Pakistan denies responsibility and called for a neutral probe.

After the attack, India and Pakistan unleashed a raft of measures against each other, with Pakistan closing its airspace to Indian airlines and India suspending the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty that regulates water-sharing from the Indus River and its tributaries.

Chakothi is a strategically sensitive area on the LoC, along the Line of Control (LOC), which runs 742km (460 miles), dividing Indian- and Pakistan-controlled Kashmir, and acts as part of the de facto border between the two countries. The military frontline, which runs through inhospitable terrain, has separated hundreds of families and even divided villages and mountains.

Chatkothi on Sunday expressed determination to defend their land against any aggression and were unfazed by India’s threats to cut off water supply.

“We’re not intimidated,” said Ahmed Abbasi, a resident of the area. “We’ve faced such challenges before and won’t back down.” 

Raja Ali, a local resident, echoed similar sentiments, saying, “We’d rather die as martyrs than become a burden in old age. We’ll keep moving forward, unafraid of death.”

Chakothi, the last major settlement before the heavily militarized Line of Control, has frequently seen cross-border shelling during periods of India-Pakistan tensions.


Pakistan vows to safeguard its waters, says military incursion by India ‘imminent’

Pakistan vows to safeguard its waters, says military incursion by India ‘imminent’
Updated 6 min 17 sec ago
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Pakistan vows to safeguard its waters, says military incursion by India ‘imminent’

Pakistan vows to safeguard its waters, says military incursion by India ‘imminent’
  • India last week suspended Indus Waters Treaty that ensures water for 80 percent of Pakistani farms, threatening agriculture, economy
  • Pakistan on high alert but would only use nuclear weapons if “there is a direct threat to our existence,” defense minister says 

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad said on Monday it would take “all appropriate steps” to safeguard its due share of water under the Indus Waters Treaty as the country’s defense minister warned of an imminent military incursion by neighboring India in the aftermath of a deadly militant attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir last week.

The attack killed 26 people and triggered outrage in India, along with calls for action against Pakistan. India accuses Pakistan of backing militancy in Kashmir, a region both claim and have fought two wars over. After Tuesday’s attack, it announced, among a raft of other punitive measures, that it was suspending the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty that splits the Indus River Basin and its tributaries between Pakistan and India. The treaty ensures water for 80 percent of Pakistani farms.

Islamabad has denied any involvement in the Kashmir attack and said any attempt to stop or divert its water would be considered as an “act of war.”

On Monday, Pakistan’s deputy prime minister and foreign minister, Ishaq Dar, chaired a meeting to discuss India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, which was attended by the law and water resources ministers, Pakistan’s attorney-general, senior officials and technical experts.

“Pakistan will take all appropriate steps to safeguard its due share of water, guaranteed by the Indus Waters Treaty,” the Pakistani foreign ministry said in a statement after the meeting, quoting Dar.

“Pakistan will continue to advocate for the full implementation of the Treaty to ensure the protection of its water rights and the well-being of its people.”

The statement said India’s “unilateral and illegal” move to hold the treaty in abeyance contravened established norms of inter-state relations, international law, and the treaty’s own provisions. 

“Noting that the waters of the Indus River System remain a lifeline for Pakistan’s 240 million people, he [Dar] deplored the Indian attempts to weaponize water,” the ministry added.

Tensions between the two nuclear-armed nations continued to boil amid reports their border forces exchanged fire along the de factor border in the disputed Kashmir region for a fourth consecutive day on Sunday. Fear is also rising among experts and officials in Islamabad that India may carry out limited airstrikes or special forces raids near the border with Pakistan.

“We have reinforced our forces because it is something which is imminent now. So in that situation some strategic decisions have to be taken, so those decisions have been taken,” Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif told Reuters in an interview at his office in Islamabad.

Asif said India’s rhetoric was ramping up and Pakistan’s military had briefed the government on the possibility of an Indian attack. He did not go into further details on his reasons for thinking an incursion was imminent.

Pakistan was on high alert but would only use its nuclear weapons if “there is a direct threat to our existence,” said Asif, a veteran politician and outspoken member of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz party, which has historically pursued peace talks with India.

The minister added that Islamabad had approached friendly countries, including Gulf states and China, and also briefed Britain, the United States and others on the situation.

“Some of our friends in the Arabian Gulf have talked to both sides,” Asif said, without naming the countries.

China said on Monday it hoped for restraint and welcomed all measures to cool down the situation. Asif said the United States was thus far “staying away” from intervening in the matter. 

Riyadh and Tehran have also both offered to mediate the crisis. 

Pakistan and India have fought multiple wars, including two over the disputed region of Kashmir, since their independence from British rule in 1947. Both rule the valley in part but claim it in full.

In the past, New Delhi has accused Islamabad of backing militants who carried out the 2008 Mumbai attacks, which killed more than 166 people, including foreigners. Pakistan denies the accusations.


Pakistan stocks slide on surging tensions with neighboring India

Pakistan stocks slide on surging tensions with neighboring India
Updated 28 April 2025
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Pakistan stocks slide on surging tensions with neighboring India

Pakistan stocks slide on surging tensions with neighboring India
  • The stock market shed 1,405.44 points, or 1.22 percent, to close at 115,469.34 points
  • The below-expectation corporate results also disappointed investors, an analyst says

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Stock Exchange plunged and lost more than 1,400 points in intraday trading, traders and analysts said on Monday, as rising tensions with India triggered geopolitical jitters and fueled a wave of investor selling at the market.

The benchmark KSE-100 index shed 1,405.44 points, or 1.22 percent, to close at 115,469.34 points after touching an intraday high of 116,658.94 points on Monday, according to stock traders.

The development came amid heightened tensions between Pakistan and India over the killing of 26 tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir on April 22. New Delhi has blamed the attack on Pakistan, Islamabad denies any complicity.

"The prevailing negative sentiment was largely driven by escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, which heightened investor concerns and weighed heavily on overall market confidence," Karachi-based Topline Securities brokerage firm said.

It said companies like SYS, LUCK, MEBL and HBL contributed 489 points to the index, while ENGRO, UBL, MARI, EFERT and PSO shaved off 907 points from the benchmark.

"Despite the risk-averse sentiment, overall participation remained firm with volumes clocking in at 421 million shares and a turnover of Rs26.43 billion," the firm said in its review.

The market saw an overall trade of 533 million shares, valued at Rs33.7 billion.

Below-expectation corporate results also disappointed investors, according to Muhammad Rizwan, a director at Chase Securities.

Companies like Systems Limited (SYS), Lucky Cement Limited (LUCK), Meezan Bank Limited (MEBL) and Habib Bank Limited (HBL) contributed 489 points to the index, while ENGRO, United Bank Limited (UBL), Mari Energies Limited (MARI), Engro Fertilizers (EFERT) and Pakistan State Oil (PSO) shaved off 907 points from the benchmark.

"National Refinery Limited (NRL), Pak Electron Limited (PAEL) and Engro Holding disappointed investors, impacting stocks in a range of 5.4 percent to 9.7 percent," Rizwan said.


First six Hajj flights from Pakistan depart for Saudi Arabia tomorrow

First six Hajj flights from Pakistan depart for Saudi Arabia tomorrow
Updated 28 April 2025
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First six Hajj flights from Pakistan depart for Saudi Arabia tomorrow

First six Hajj flights from Pakistan depart for Saudi Arabia tomorrow
  • 114,000 Pakistanis are expected to perform Hajj pilgrimage in 2025
  • Record-breaking 2.5 million Muslims expected to perform Hajj this year

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s 33-day-long Hajj flights operation will be launched tomorrow, Tuesday, with six flights set to depart for Saudi Arabia, state media reported on Monday.

This year’s annual pilgrimage will take place in June, with nearly 89,000 Pakistanis expected to travel to Saudi Arabia under the government scheme and 23,620 Pakistanis performing Hajj through private tour operators.

“The Hajj flight operation to airlift intending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia is commencing from tomorrow [Tuesday],” Radio Pakistan said in its report.

“On the first day of the Hajj flight operation, six flights will be operated: two from Lahore and one each from Islamabad, Karachi, Quetta and Multan.”

Around 89,000 pilgrims traveling under the government scheme will travel to Makkah and Madinah through 342 flights. The last Hajj flight will depart on May 31.

Around 50,500 Pakistani pilgrims will travel to Saudi Arabia under Saudi Arabia’s Makkah Route Initiative, which aims to streamline the immigration process for pilgrims to Makkah. The initiative was launched in 2019 by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and has been implemented in five countries: Pakistan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Morocco, and Bangladesh.

Under the initiative, pilgrims are able to complete their immigration requirements at their home country’s airports before they depart for Saudi Arabia. This saves pilgrims several hours upon arrival in the Kingdom, as they can simply enter the country without having to go through immigration again. 

Under the Makkah Route Initiative, 28,000 pilgrims will depart for the Kingdom from Islamabad while the remaining 22,500 will fly from the southern port city of Karachi.

While a precise number of worldwide pilgrims for Hajj 2025 is difficult to determine in advance, projections suggest it will be a record-breaking year, with over 2.5 million Muslims performing the pilgrimage.