Pakistan has accused India of backing militant groups following a deadly train hijacking in Balochistan province that left 26 people dead. Although no evidence was provided, the Pakistani military claims India is supporting these groups, as survivors of the attack shared their harrowing experiences.
The incident highlights the ongoing challenges Pakistan faces in controlling militant activities in the region. On Tuesday, members of the banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) ambushed a train in a remote area, taking approximately 400 passengers hostage and engaging in a gunfight with security forces. The confrontation ended late Wednesday, with the army reporting 33 hijackers killed.
Balochistan, rich in oil and minerals, is Pakistan's largest but sparsely populated province. Its residents have long accused the central government of neglect, a claim denied by Islamabad.
The train attack has drawn widespread international condemnation, including from the US, China, Turkey, Iran, and the UK. The UN Security Council strongly denounced the attack, calling for accountability for those responsible.
At a news conference in Islamabad, army spokesperson Lt Gen Ahmad Sharif accused India of being the main sponsor of the attack, though he did not provide evidence. India has dismissed these allegations. This marks the first instance of the BLA hijacking a train, although they have targeted trains before.
Some attackers managed to escape, and a search operation is ongoing. Sharif noted that most of the casualties were security personnel protecting passengers and troops traveling home.
Balochistan's chief minister, Sarfraz Bugti, claimed Pakistan possesses "solid evidence" of India's involvement but did not disclose specifics. Sharif also mentioned an Indian naval officer, Kulbhushan Jadhav, arrested in 2016 for espionage, who allegedly aided Baloch separatists and other militants. However, he did not link Jadhav directly to the train attack.
Pakistan and India, both nuclear-armed nations, have a long history of conflict, having fought four wars since their independence from Britain in 1947. India’s foreign ministry has firmly rejected Pakistan's allegations.
Pakistan's foreign ministry earlier suggested the attack was orchestrated from Afghanistan, a claim denied by Kabul, which stated the BLA has no presence there.
All train services to and from Balochistan have been suspended since the attack. Railway official Sharif Ullah reported that repairs to the damaged tracks have yet to begin.
Survivors have shared their traumatic experiences during the 36-hour ordeal. Muhammad Farooq from Quetta described how the BLA halted the train and began checking identity cards, targeting those affiliated with the armed forces. Many passengers escaped during the firefight with Pakistani troops.
Mohammad Tanveer, traveling from Quetta to Lahore, was injured but managed to flee. He recounted how the attackers sought out military and security personnel, executing them in small groups.
Nair Husnain, a student, witnessed militants asking passengers to stand, tying their hands, and shooting them, prioritizing soldiers, minority Shias, and Punjabis while sparing Balochs. He recalled a woman forced to watch her three soldier sons being killed, a memory that haunts him.