Baloch rebels used US weapons to hijack Pakistan’s Jaffar Express: Report

NEW DELHI: The Bloach rebels hijacked Pakistan‘s Jaffar Express last month using US weapons, which American forces left behind during the hasty withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, reported Washington Post.
Weapons were left behind by United States forces following their 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan. Among the weapons recovered from the scene was an M4A1 carbine rifle manufactured by Colt, an American arms maker, ARY News reported.
The rifle’s serial number reportedly confirmed that it was originally supplied to US forces in Afghanistan and later left behind during the chaotic withdrawal.
The Bloach Liberation Army (BLA) opened fire on a passenger train in southwestern Pakistan on March 11, injuring the train driver. The train with over 400 passengers aboard was traveling from Quetta in Balochistan province to Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa when it came under attack.
Rescue teams and security forces arrived at the scene, launching an operation which went on for more than 24 hours. The Pakistan security officials said that no passenger was hurt and “the number of passengers who fell victim to the barbarism of the terrorists is 21.”
“On March 11 in Bolan, terrorists targeted a railroad track around 1pm and blew it up and stopped the Jaffar Express. According to railway officials, the train had 440 passengers,” he said while speaking in an interview on Dunya News.
Chaudhry said the army, air force, Frontier Corps (FC) and the Special Services Group had taken part and recovered the hostages. He added that no passenger was hurt in the final clearance operation, but before that, “the number of passengers who fell victim to the barbarism of the terrorists is 21.”
“These terrorists were in contact with their supporters and masterminds in Afghanistan during the operation via satellite phone. You saw that around 100 passengers were safely rescued yesterday evening from the terrorists, and today as well, a large number of passengers have been recovered,” he said, adding that the process continued intermittently.
For decades, separatist militant groups in Balochistan have waged an insurgency, frequently targeting the government, army, and Chinese interests while demanding a greater share of the region’s mineral wealth. The BLA has sought independence, accusing the government of exploiting Balochistan’s abundant gas and mineral resources.