World’s First Train Hijack: Pakistan’s Balochistan

The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attack. Emergency measures have been implemented in Balochistan. Is this the world’s first train hijack?

Recently, the BLA hijacked the Jaffar Express train in Balochistan, taking over 100 military personnel hostage. This incident highlights the group’s ongoing activities and its demand for Balochistan’s independence.

The Baloch Liberation Army fired at a passenger train carrying thousands of passengers in southwestern Pakistan on Tuesday afternoon.

“Is this the world’s first train hijack?

The first recorded train hijack incident occurred in the United States during the American Civil War. On April 12, 1862, a group of Union soldiers, led by James J. Andrews, hijacked a Confederate train in Georgia. This event, known as the ‘Great Locomotive Chase,’ involved the theft of a locomotive called ‘The General’ and was part of a military operation to disrupt Confederate supply lines.

As for the total number of train hijack incidents worldwide, it’s challenging to provide an exact figure due to varying definitions and records of such events. Train hijackings are relatively rare compared to other forms of transportation-related crimes.

Baloch Liberation Army (BLA)?

The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) is a separatist militant group based in Pakistan, primarily active in the Balochistan region. It emerged in the early 2000s as part of the broader Baloch nationalist movement, which seeks greater autonomy or independence for the Baloch people.

The BLA opposes the perceived exploitation of Balochistan’s resources and political marginalization by the Pakistani government. The group has carried out numerous high-profile attacks targeting Pakistani military forces, infrastructure, and projects linked to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The BLA has also targeted foreign nationals, particularly Chinese citizens, due to its opposition to CPEC.

Recently, the BLA hijacked the Jaffar Express train in Balochistan, taking over 100 military personnel hostage. This incident highlights the group’s ongoing activities and its demand for Balochistan’s independence.