VoA: Militants attack train, take hostages in Pakistan’s Balochistan

Militants attacked a cross-country passenger train Tuesday in Pakistan’s restive southwestern Balochistan province, taking many hostages.

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The Baloch Liberation Army, or BLA, quickly claimed responsibility for the attack. In a statement to media, the banned separatist militant outfit said it had blown up tracks and taken passengers hostage.

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The separatist group has been fighting a deadly insurgency against the Pakistani state, accusing the government of robbing the province of its rich natural resources. The group also opposes Chinese investment in the province.

Pakistan and China reject the claims that their joint ventures are depriving ethnic Baloch from economic opportunities and their share of the province’s mineral wealth.

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Gunmen hijack train in Pakistan’s Balochistan, take hundreds hostage

The province, which is rich in minerals and natural resources, has been home to a decades-long conflict between the government and ethnic Baloch separatists, who demand secession from Pakistan.

In recent years, there have also been attacks against Chinese interests and nationals working in projects in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a $62bn development initiative. The attacks by the BLA and other groups have continued despite a number of military operations.

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In January, a security report by the Islamabad-based think tank Pak Institute of Peace Studies (PIPS) warned that the situation in Balochistan was “alarming”.

It said there were more than 150 attacks last year, up by a staggering 119 percent compared with the year before.

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Muhammad Shoaib, a security analyst and an academic, said BLA attacks had surged not just numerically but also in “lethality”.

“The organisation has gained strength over the past few years. It has enhanced its capability on many fronts: propaganda, recruitment, target selection, intelligence and adaptability,” Shoaib told Al Jazeera, adding that the BLA has been able to spread its message through social media and attract educated youth.

“Put simply, it has learnt the art of staying in the news and keeping state apparatus engaged in multiple fronts,” Shoaib added, noting that there were signs that the BLA’s recruitment is on the rise.

03-09-2025: U.S. Warns Nationals Against Traveling to KP, Balochistan Due to Security Concerns

The United States has issued a travel advisory for Pakistan, warning its citizens of security risks due to “terrorism” and potential armed conflict. The advisory specifically designates Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) as high-risk areas, urging travelers to avoid these regions due to frequent attacks.

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Additionally, the advisory highlights travel restrictions for U.S. government personnel in Pakistan, noting that officials require special authorization to visit most areas outside of Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi. In certain regions, U.S. personnel must use armored vehicles and armed escorts for both official and personal travel. The U.S. consulate in Peshawar does not provide consular services, while those in Islamabad, Karachi, and Lahore offer only limited assistance, particularly to dual U.S.-Pakistani citizens who are considered exclusively Pakistani under local law.

US Proxies in Balochistan

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