Pakistan's Jaffar Express derails after blast hits tracks in Balochistan, rescue ops underway - What we know so far

An explosion struck a railway track in Balochistan on Tuesday (Sep 23), resulting in the derailment of the Jaffar Express. The explosion struck its track in Mastung’s Dasht area of Balochistan, overturning multiple coaches. Rescue operations are underway while officials said that an improvised explosive device (IED)was planted near the track. The Jaffar Express was travelling from Peshawar to Quetta. As per initial reports, the injured were taken to hospitals in Quetta, and an emergency was declared to ensure timely medical care. Railway authorities confirmed that the explosion severely damaged the track, forcing a suspension of train services in the area. Pakistan Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi has ordered an investigation.

In March 2025, terrorists hijacked the Jaffar Express in Balochistan’s Bolan district, killing 21 passengers before security forces launched a clearance operation. The attackers detonated explosives and used hostages, including women and children, as human shields. The operation led by Pakistani forces resulted in the elimination of all 33 terrorists, though four Frontier Corps personnel were martyred. DG ISPR Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry confirmed the attackers had links with handlers in Afghanistan, highlighting the cross-border nature of the threat.

The mastermind, Gul Rahman alias Ustad Mureed of the BLA’s Majeed Brigade, was reportedly killed in Afghanistan’s Helmand province in September. Pakistan claims his death reinforces its assertions of terrorist safe havens across the Afghan border and India's support for Baloch insurgents, referring to them as "Fitna al-Hindustan." The Majeed Brigade is a U.S.-designated terrorist group, responsible for high-profile attacks on civilians, security forces, and Chinese nationals in Pakistan.