Balochistan: Jaafar Express Targeted in Balochistan: Bomb Blast on Railway Track, Rockets Fired

The Jaafar Express train, a vital link in Pakistan's railway network, has once again become the target of an attack in the restive province of Balochistan, while on Sunday, assailants attempted to blow up the train with a bomb and fired rockets, causing alarm in the region. Fortunately, the train and its passengers narrowly escaped significant harm, averting a potentially catastrophic loss of life and property.

Detailed Account of the Attack

The incident occurred near the Shaheed Abdul Aziz Bullo area in Balochistan's Nasirabad district. According to police and railway officials, the attackers had planted an improvised explosive device (IED) on the railway track. The blast, however, occurred after the Jaafar Express had already passed over that section of the track, preventing direct damage to the train itself. Had the explosion coincided with the train's passage, the consequences could have been dire. Officials confirmed that a portion of the railway track was damaged by the explosion,. Leading to the temporary suspension of train services in the vicinity as a precautionary measure.

Attempted Rocket Attacks

According to the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), the assailants didn't limit their attack to just the bomb blast. They also fired four rockets at the train from a distance. This indicates a clear intent to inflict maximum damage and potentially derail or destroy the train. By sheer luck, all the rockets missed their target, passing by the train without striking it. As a result, neither the train nor any of its occupants sustained any physical injuries or significant damage. This multi-pronged attack strategy poses a serious challenge to security agencies, highlighting the sophistication and determination of the perpetrators.

Investigation and Security Response

Upon receiving news of the incident, senior officials immediately rushed to the scene. Police and security forces cordoned off the entire area and initiated a thorough investigation, while the primary focus of the authorities is to identify the elements responsible for planting the bomb and firing the rockets, and to ascertain their motives. Forensic teams have also arrived at the site to collect evidence that could lead to the apprehension of the attackers. This incident has raised serious questions about railway security in Balochistan, underscoring the urgent need for more stringent measures to prevent such occurrences in the future.

Claim of Responsibility

Baloch nationalist leader Mir Yar Baloch, in a statement issued to the media, announced that the Baloch Republican Guards (BRG) have claimed responsibility for this attack. The BRG is one of several separatist groups active in Balochistan, engaged in an armed struggle against the Pakistani state in the province, while the BRG's claim of responsibility confirms that this was a premeditated act of terrorism aimed at spreading unrest in the region and targeting government infrastructure.

Previous Attacks on Jaafar Express

This isn't the first instance where the Jaafar Express has been targeted. The train has been a frequent target for militants in Balochistan. Several incidents involving this train have been reported since March 11, illustrating the fragile security situation in the region. Previously, terrorists from the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) attacked the same train, which was carrying 440 passengers en route to Peshawar, while that attack was also of a serious nature and endangered the lives of the passengers.

Pattern of Persistent Attacks

The series of attacks on the Jaafar Express doesn't end there. On June 18, a remote-controlled explosion near Jacobabad caused four bogies of the train to derail, while this incident also proved to be extremely dangerous for the passengers. On top of that, on October 29, another rocket attack occurred on the Jaafar Express in the Notal area of Nasirabad district. These continuous attacks clearly indicate that the Jaafar Express is being repeatedly targeted, becoming a symbolic objective for the terrorist groups active in Balochistan, while these incidents have increased pressure on railway authorities and security forces to implement more effective measures to ensure the safety and security of passengers.