FACT CHECK: Viral Video of Baloch Rebels Attacking Jaffar Express—Real or Misleading? Here’s The Truth- wna24
Pakistan Train Attack: The misleading video has been shared widely with false claims. Upon verification, it was found that the viral clip is actually from 2022. | Image:
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Islamabad: Amid the hijacking of the Jaffar Express by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), a video has been circulating on social media, claiming to capture the exact moment BLA fighters opened fire on the train. However, when Republic World conducted a fact check, it was revealed that the footage is not recent.
Upon verification, it was found that the viral clip is actually from 2022 and is unrelated to the ongoing Pakistan train hijack. The misleading video has been shared widely with false claims, adding to the spread of misinformation. Readers are advised to verify sources before sharing unconfirmed content.
CLAIM: Video Shows Balochistan Liberation Army Opening Fire on Jaffar Express
FACT: Footage is from a 2022 BLA attack, not the recent incident.
Pakistan Train Hijack | What We Know
While official data on casualties was not available (at the time of filing the article), reports claimed that at least 20 military personnel were killed in the attack.
Controller Railways Muhammad Kashif said that the train, comprising nine coaches, had around 500 passengers on board.
“The train was stopped by armed men in Tunnel No 8,” the controller said. There are 17 tunnels in this area on the railway line and due to the difficult terrain, the speed of the train is often slow.
The Balochistan government directed local authorities to take “emergency measures”.
A provincial government statement said an emergency was imposed at Sibi hospital and ambulances and security forces were on their way to the site.
BLA Claims Responsibility
In a statement, the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), claimed responsibility for the hostage crisis and said they had taken hostages from the train, including security forces. “The Baloch Liberation Army has carried out a meticulously planned operation in Mashkaf, Dhadar, Bolan, where our freedom fighters have blown up the railway track, forcing the Jaffar Express to come to a halt. The fighters swiftly took control of the train, holding all passengers hostage,” it said.
In the past, the railway tracks in this area have been attacked by Baloch militants by using rockets or remote-controlled bombs and the BLA claimed responsibility for most of the attacks.
In October last year, Pakistan Railways announced the restoration of train services between Quetta and Peshawar after a suspension of more than a month and a half.
Balochistan has witnessed an uptick in terrorist attacks over the past year. In November 2024, at least 26 people were killed and 62 injured after a suicide blast ripped through a Quetta Railway Station.
Balochistan, bordering Iran and Afghanistan, is home to a long-running violent insurgency. Baloch insurgent groups frequently carry out attacks targeting security personnel, government projects and the USD 60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects in the oil and mineral-rich province.