March 17, 2025, Pakistan: In recent days, Pakistan’s Balochistan province has been rocked by a series of violent incidents attributed to the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist militant group seeking independence from Islamabad.
Suicide Attack on Military Convoy in Noshki
On Sunday, March 16, 2025, a suicide bomber targeted a convoy of buses carrying security forces on the Noshki-Dalbandin National Highway. The assailant rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into the convoy, resulting in a powerful explosion. Official reports confirm that five individuals—three Frontier Corps personnel and two civilians—were killed, with over 30 others injured.
The BLA, however, claimed that 90 security personnel were killed in the attack. They released a video depicting the explosion and its aftermath, which has since circulated widely on social media platforms.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, condemned the “cowardly” attack, asserting that such incidents “cannot shake our resolve against terrorism.” Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti echoed this sentiment, vowing that those disrupting the province’s peace “will be brought to a tragic end.”
Hijacking of the Jaffar Express
Earlier in the week, on March 11, 2025, the BLA orchestrated a hijacking of the Jaffar Express train, which was en route from Quetta to Peshawar with approximately 500 passengers aboard. The militants attacked the train in the Bolan region, derailing it within a tunnel and taking hundreds hostage. They demanded the release of Baloch political prisoners, threatening to execute hostages if their demands were not met.
A prolonged standoff ensued, during which Pakistani security forces launched a rescue operation. The operation culminated in the deaths of all 33 militants and the rescue of over 300 passengers. Tragically, 21 hostages lost their lives during the ordeal.
Context of the Unrest
Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest yet least populated province, is rich in natural resources but has long been a hotspot for insurgent activity. The BLA, designated a terrorist organization by both Pakistan and the United States, has intensified its operations in recent years, targeting infrastructure projects, security forces, and even Chinese nationals involved in regional development projects.
The group’s actions are rooted in longstanding grievances, with ethnic Baloch residents accusing the central government of exploiting the province’s resources without equitable returns to the local population. This sense of marginalization has fueled the insurgency, leading to frequent attacks aimed at asserting their demands for autonomy or independence.
The recent surge in violence underscores the persistent challenges Pakistan faces in addressing the complex dynamics of Balochistan’s insurgency. As the government grapples with these security threats, the human toll continues to mount, affecting both civilians and security personnel alike.
Keep Reading Questiqa.in
Get more News Headlines At Our Social Platforms And Do Follow.
