Once again, insurgents have struck in Pakistan’s Balochistan province. This time, the independence-seeking armed Baloch group BLA (Baloch Liberation Army) hijacked a passenger train and abducted nearly 100 people. The incident has caused unrest across Pakistan, and troops have been deployed.

The Pakistani news outlet The Dawn reported that on Tuesday, the insurgents seized the Jaffar Express, which was traveling from Quetta, the capital of Balochistan, to Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

Mohammad Kashif, an official from Pakistan Railways, stated that the train, which had nine coaches, was carrying around 500 passengers, more than 100 of whom have been taken hostage by militants. According to the news agency Reuters, six soldiers responsible for the train’s security were killed in gunfire by Baloch rebels!

BLA also claimed responsibility, stating that they are holding 100 passengers hostage. Shahid Rind, spokesperson for the Balochistan government, said, “The passenger train was hijacked between Pehror Kunri and Gadalar.” He alleged that armed Baloch insurgents took control of the train while firing indiscriminately. Shahid added that initial reports suggest the hijacked train was taken inside Tunnel No. 8 along the mountainous railway track. In response to the incident, the Balochistan provincial government has issued a “maximum alert.” It is believed that the Pakistani military may launch an operation to free the hijacked train.

Incidentally, Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province, is naturally the richest in resources. However, its wealth is being gradually depleted at the expense of the Baloch citizens. Following the creation of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the exploitation has increased over the past few years. Armed separatist groups like BLA and the Baloch Nationalist Army (BNA) accuse Islamabad and Beijing of using this route to loot Balochistan’s natural resources. There are also allegations that to suppress protests, the Pakistani army and Frontier Corps have been committing continuous human rights violations and even genocide in the region.

On August 11, 1947, the princely state of Kalat was freed from British rule. On August 12, the ruler of Kalat, Mir Sultan Ahmad Khan, declared independence. But that independence lasted only seven months, until March 27, 1948. For the people of Balochistan, that day remains a painful “Day of Subjugation”! Seven decades ago, on that very day, the Pakistani army took control of Balochistan. Under threat of arms, the then-ruler was forced to accede to Pakistan.

Incidentally, Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province, is naturally the wealthiest in resources. However, it is gradually being stripped away from the Baloch people. Following the creation of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the plunder has intensified over the last few years. Using this route, rulers of Islamabad and Beijing are accused of looting Balochistan’s natural resources, according to groups like BLA and the Baloch Nationalist Army (BNA). To suppress dissent, there are also allegations that the Pakistani army and Frontier Corps are perpetrating ongoing human rights violations and even genocide in the region.

The subsequent history of Balochistan revolves around renewed struggles for independence, state terrorism, and thousands of people disappearing without a trace. Abdul Qadeer Baloch, an independence leader known as the “Gandhi of Balochistan,” visited Delhi a few years ago and said that they want India to stand by Balochistan just as it did for Bangladesh in 1971. He also appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to raise his voice on international platforms to stop Pakistan’s oppression in Balochistan.