Pakistan Accuses India of Involvement in Balochistan Train Hijacking
A tragic incident unfolded on March 11, 2025, when the Jaffar Express, carrying over 450 passengers from Quetta to Peshawar, was hijacked by militants in the Bolan region of Balochistan. The attack, which led to a deadly standoff, resulted in the deaths of 58 individuals, including 21 passengers, four soldiers, and all 33 militants. The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist militant group, claimed responsibility for the assault.
Pakistan’s Allegations Against India
Following the attack, Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesperson, Shafqat Ali Khan, hinted at India’s involvement. He alleged that the attackers’ handlers were based in Afghanistan and financially backed by India. According to him, calls traced to Afghanistan provided evidence of external influence in the hijacking.
Addressing concerns about whether Pakistan was shifting its blame from India to Afghanistan, he clarified, “There is no shift in our policy. And again, the facts have not changed. India is involved in sponsoring terrorism against Pakistan. What I was referring to was, in this particular incident, we have evidence of calls being traced to Afghanistan.”
India’s Rejection of Allegations
India firmly dismissed Pakistan’s accusations. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a strong rebuttal, stating, “We strongly reject the baseless allegations made by Pakistan. The whole world knows where the epicenter of global terrorism lies. Pakistan should look inwards instead of pointing fingers and shifting the blame for its own internal problems and failures onto others.”
Afghanistan’s Denial of Involvement
The Taliban-led Afghan government also refuted Pakistan’s claims linking the attack to militants based in Afghanistan. A government spokesperson responded, “We categorically reject baseless allegations by the Pakistani army spokesperson linking the attack on a passenger train in Balochistan province with Afghanistan, and urge the Pakistani side to focus on resolving their own security and internal problems instead of such irresponsible remarks.”
Regional Tensions and Security Concerns
The Balochistan insurgency has long been fueled by economic deprivation and political grievances. Pakistan has frequently accused India of instigating unrest in the region by supporting groups like the BLA, allegations that India has consistently denied. This latest incident has escalated tensions between Pakistan and its neighbors, further complicating regional security concerns.
As investigations continue, the international community is closely observing the situation, calling for restraint and diplomatic efforts to address the underlying causes of regional instability.
