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Key Points

A blast caused six coaches of the Jaffar Express to derail in Pakistan's Balochistan. The explosion was reportedly due to an IED planted along the railway tracks. The Baloch Republican Guards, a separatist group, claimed responsibility, citing it as a move towards independence. Fortunately, no casualties were reported, though this incident follows previous attacks on the train.

Key Points: Balochistan Blast Derails Jaffar Express Six Coaches in Pakistan

  • Six coaches of Jaffar Express derailed after explosion
  • No casualties reported in Balochistan blast
  • Baloch Republican Guards claim responsibility
  • Previous attack by BLA on Jaffar Express involved hostages
2 min read

Six coaches of Jaffar Express derail after explosion in Pakistan's Balochistan

Explosion derails six coaches of Jaffar Express in Balochistan. Baloch Republican Guards claim responsibility, no casualties reported.

"Our organisation accepts responsibility for these attacks. Our such attacks will continue until the independence of Balochistan. - Baloch Republican Guards"

Balochistan, June 18

At least six coaches of Pakistan's Jaffar Express derailed on Wednesday following a blast on railway tracks near Jacobabad in Sindh province, as per reports in Pakistani media.

The train was en route from Quetta to Peshawar when the explosion occurred.

According to police officials, the blast created a crater approximately three feet wide and deep, damaging nearly six feet of railway track.

Authorities suspect that the explosion was caused by an improvised explosive device (IED) planted along the line.

Officials stated that no casualties have been reported and that the area has been secured. A formal investigation is currently underway, said railway officials.

The Baloch Republican Guards, an armed Baloch separatist organisation, has claimed responsibility for the attack on the Jaffar Express, as well as for targeting containers linked to the Reko Diq project in Chagai, Balochistan, The Balochistan Post reported.

The group's spokesperson, Dosteen Baloch, issued a statement claiming the blast was executed by their operatives using a remote-controlled device near the Jacobabad cattle market.

"In today's attack, six coaches of the train derailed. The Jaffar Express is used by the occupying Pakistani army for the movement of its personnel, and our attacks will be severe in the future," the spokesperson said (rough English translation).

"Our organisation accepts responsibility for these attacks. Our such attacks will continue until the independence of Balochistan," the statement added.

Videos circulating on social media showed passengers, including families with children, safely disembarking from the derailed train and retrieving their belongings.

Despite the derailment, there was no report of injury or death.

Notably, this is not the first time the Jaffar Express has been targeted.

In March, insurgents from the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) hijacked the train near Quetta, taking hundreds of passengers hostage and killing over two dozen security personnel.

The military claimed that the operation to neutralise the attackers and rescue the hostages had concluded successfully.

Security sources confirmed that at least 346 hostages were rescued, and around 50 attackers were neutralised.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rajesh K.
Very unfortunate incident. While we have our differences with Pakistan, no civilian should suffer like this. Hope the situation in Balochistan improves soon. Terrorism has no place in our region. 🙏
P
Priya M.
This shows how unstable Pakistan's internal security situation is. If they can't protect their own trains, how can they be trusted with nuclear weapons? The world should take note of this.
A
Amit S.
Baloch people have genuine grievances but violence isn't the solution. India should diplomatically support their cause while maintaining our national interests. The CPEC project is making things worse there.
S
Sunita R.
Thank God no one was hurt! Seeing those videos of families with children getting off the train was heartbreaking 💔. Terrorism affects common people the most, whether in India or Pakistan.
V
Vikram J.
Pakistan always blames India for everything, but look at their own house burning. Balochistan, KPK, Sindh - all have separatist movements. Maybe they should focus on fixing their internal issues first.
N
Neha P.
The Baloch struggle reminds me of our freedom movement against British. But violence against civilians is never justified. Hope Pakistan addresses their concerns through dialogue rather than force.
K
Karan D.
While we criticize Pakistan, let's not forget we have our own security challenges in J&K and Northeast. Terrorism is a global problem that needs united action. Stay safe everyone!

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