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They were all shot by gunmen: A detailed account of the horrific train hijacking in Balochistan, Pakistan

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In a harrowing incident that has sent shockwaves across Pakistan and the international community, a passenger train traveling through the restive province of Balochistan was hijacked by armed gunmen, leaving a trail of death, destruction, and trauma in its wake. The attack, which unfolded with chilling precision, has once again highlighted the precarious security situation in the region and raised urgent questions about the safety of civilians in conflict zones. This is a blow-by-blow account of the horrific train hijacking that has left the nation reeling.


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The Calm Before the Storm**


The train, known as the Jaffar Express, was en route from Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan, to the eastern city of Lahore. Onboard were hundreds of passengers, including families, students, and laborers, many of whom were traveling for work or to visit loved ones. The journey, which typically takes around 24 hours, is one of the most scenic yet perilous routes in Pakistan, cutting through the rugged terrain of Balochistan—a region long plagued by insurgency, sectarian violence, and banditry.


As the train chugged through the desolate landscapes of Bolan Pass, a mountainous region notorious for its lawlessness, passengers were unaware of the horror that awaited them. The atmosphere inside the train was one of routine travel: children played in the aisles, vendors sold snacks, and passengers chatted or dozed off. But outside, a group of armed militants was preparing to strike.


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The Hijacking: A Brutal Onslaught**


At approximately 8:30 PM, as the train approached the Machh area of Bolan District, the gunmen struck. Witnesses reported hearing sudden bursts of gunfire, followed by the screeching of brakes as the train was forcibly brought to a halt. The attackers, estimated to be between 15 to 20 in number, were heavily armed and masked. They quickly surrounded the train, cutting off any chance of escape.


The gunmen stormed the carriages, shouting orders and firing indiscriminately to instill fear. Passengers were ordered to hand over their valuables—cash, jewelry, and mobile phones—while those who resisted or hesitated were met with brutal violence. “They were ruthless,” recalled one survivor, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “They didn’t care if you were a man, woman, or child. If you didn’t obey, they shot you.”


The attackers appeared to be well-organized, with some focusing on looting while others kept watch for security forces. They moved swiftly through the train, leaving chaos and terror in their wake. Families were separated, and children cried for their parents as the gunmen ransacked belongings and assaulted passengers.


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The Massacre: A Night of Unimaginable Horror**


The situation took a darker turn when the gunmen began targeting specific individuals, allegedly based on their ethnicity or perceived affiliations. Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest but least populous province, has long been a hotbed of ethnic and sectarian tensions. The Baloch ethnic group, which forms the majority in the province, has been engaged in a decades-long insurgency against the state, demanding greater autonomy and a share of the region’s natural resources. The hijackers, believed to be affiliated with a militant separatist group, reportedly singled out non-Baloch passengers, particularly Punjabis and Sindhis, for execution.


“They dragged people out of their seats and shot them in cold blood,” said another survivor, his voice trembling with emotion. “They didn’t even ask questions. They just pulled the trigger.”


The train’s corridors were soon littered with bodies, and the air was thick with the smell of blood and gunpowder. Survivors described scenes of unimaginable horror: a mother cradling her dead child, a young man pleading for his life before being shot in the head, and elderly passengers being beaten and robbed. The attackers showed no mercy, and their brutality left even the most hardened passengers in a state of shock.


The Response: A Delayed and Inadequate Intervention**


As the massacre unfolded, desperate passengers tried to call for help, but the remote location of the attack meant that cell phone signals were weak or nonexistent. It took nearly two hours for news of the hijacking to reach the authorities, and even longer for security forces to arrive on the scene. By then, the gunmen had fled, taking with them a cache of stolen goods and leaving behind a bloodbath.


The delayed response has sparked outrage among the public, with many accusing the government and security agencies of negligence. Balochistan, despite its strategic importance, has long been neglected by the central government, with inadequate infrastructure, poor communication networks, and a lack of security personnel in remote areas. Critics argue that the attack could have been prevented if the train had been provided with adequate security, especially given the region’s history of violence.


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*The Aftermath: Grief, Anger, and Demands for Justice**


In the hours and days following the attack, the full scale of the tragedy began to emerge. At least 30 passengers were confirmed dead, with dozens more injured. Many of the survivors were left traumatized, their lives forever scarred by the horrors they witnessed. Families of the victims demanded justice, calling for the perpetrators to be brought to book and for the government to take concrete steps to prevent such incidents in the future.


The attack has also reignited debates about the broader issues plaguing Balochistan. The province, rich in natural resources, remains one of the poorest and most underdeveloped regions in Pakistan. Decades of neglect, coupled with a heavy-handed military response to the insurgency, have fueled resentment among the local population and provided fertile ground for militant groups to operate.


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A Call for Action**


The train hijacking in Balochistan is a stark reminder of the human cost of conflict and the urgent need for peace and stability in the region. While the government has vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice and enhance security measures, many fear that without addressing the root causes of the insurgency—poverty, inequality, and political marginalization—such attacks will continue to occur.


For the victims and their families, however, the pain and loss will never fully heal. As one grieving father put it, “They took my son away from me. No amount of justice will bring him back.” The tragedy serves as a somber call to action for all stakeholders to work towards a lasting solution that ensures the safety and dignity of all citizens, regardless of their ethnicity or creed.


In the meantime, the people of Balochistan—and indeed, all of Pakistan—are left to mourn the lives lost and to hope that such a horror will never be repeated.

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