An explosion on the railway track near Jacobabad in Pakistan caused six coaches of the Jaffar Express to derail on Wednesday, once again raising serious questions about the safety of train travel through Balochistan.
The train was travelling from Peshawar to Quetta when the blast ripped through the tracks. According to police, the explosion created a three-foot-wide crater and destroyed nearly six feet of rail line, according to Samaa TV. The impact was so severe that the wheels of the derailed coaches were thrown off the track, bringing the train to an abrupt halt.
While no fatalities have been reported so far, several passengers are believed to have sustained injuries. Rescue and relief teams rushed to the site and began evacuating the wounded, who were later taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.
ALSO READ | Massive Twin-Peaked Volcano Erupts In Indonesia, Air India Flight To Bali Cancelled: Watch
Security Concerns Reignite
The incident has once again cast a shadow over the safety of the Jacobabad-Quetta rail route — one that has long been plagued by attacks and unrest. The Jaffar Express, in particular, has been targeted multiple times in recent years, with Balochistan widely regarded as a volatile and high-risk region for rail passengers.
Balochistan has been grappling with a separatist insurgency, recurring violence, and deep-rooted tensions with the military. These factors have made transport infrastructure—especially railways—a frequent target for militant activity.
ALSO READ | Will US Join Israel In War With Iran? Trump Calls Emergency Meeting At White House
Train Hijacking Incident
Just three months ago, in March 2025, the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) hijacked the same Jaffar Express. At the time, around 350 passengers were onboard. A major military operation was launched to free the train, resulting in intense clashes.
The BLA claimed responsibility for the hijacking and alleged it had killed over 100 Pakistani soldiers. The Pakistan Army, however, confirmed the deaths of 35 hostages in the rescue effort.
