The Jaffar Express was going towards Quetta when it was attacked by an improvised explosive device (IED). The explosion took place near the area of Sultankot.
Baloch Republic guards claim attack
According to NDTV, the rebel group Baloch Republic Guards has claimed responsibility for the incident. The rebel group stated that their operation was planned to target the personnel of the Pakistani Army travelling on the train. The group also stated that such attacks would be continued until Balochistan is independent. The official figures for the casualties are still unknown, and the derailment of six coaches is reported.
Escalating threats against Jaffar Express
According to NDTV, the latest attack emphasizes a constant threat to the Jaffar Express, which has been targeted constantly since March. The train has been bombed, derailed, and hijacked on several occasions. The train was hijacked in the Bolan region on March 11, leading to the casualties of 21 passengers and four security personnel. The government forces answered with a targeted operation, which resulted in the killing of 33 terrorists.
A series of attacks in recent months
The Jaffar Express was targeted on multiple occasions in the past few months:
September 24: A bombing took place in Mastung, resulting in the injury of at least a dozen which, including women and children.
August 10: An IED explosion resulted in the derailment of six coaches in Mastung
August 7: A bomb exploded near Sibi, moments after the train had passed, narrowly missing disaster.
August 4: The Balochistan Liberation Army gunmen fired at the pilot engine near Kolpur.
June: A remotely controlled explosive device was deployed, which led to the derailment of four coaches in Jacobabad.
The security officials will continue to fight such attacks by ethnic Baloch militant groups, emphasising the constant instability in the region and the dangers faced by passengers on this vital rail network.
