Executive summary

In 2025, the Jaffar Express — one of Pakistan’s busiest passenger trains linking Quetta to Rawalpindi — became the target of a disturbing series of violent incidents. These included a hijacking in March, a railway track bombing in June, and follow-up attacks that stretched across the summer. The events claimed civilian lives, injured dozens, and reignited urgent debates about railway security and counter-terrorism policy in Pakistan.

This article compiles verified reporting, survivor testimonies, security analysis, and policy recommendations. Unlike quick-breaking news briefs, this long-form feature is designed to answer the deeper questions readers are asking: what exactly happened, why trains are targeted, how victims are coping, who is investigating, and how citizens can stay safe.

Why this matters

The Jaffar Express is not merely a train — it is a lifeline. Running daily, it carries hundreds of passengers across some of the most geographically and politically sensitive regions of Pakistan. Any attack on this route resonates nationally, affecting migrant workers, students, families, and the fragile sense of public safety.

In recent years, militant organizations such as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and certain Baloch insurgent groups have been implicated in attacks on transport and infrastructure. While responsibility for the 2025 incidents remains under investigation, the broader pattern of militants targeting railways is well-documented in official reports and media coverage. Mentioning these groups provides context but does not assign blame without official confirmation.

Timeline of the Jaffar Express incidents (2025)

To understand the significance of 2025, it is essential to map the chain of events. Each incident deepened the sense of insecurity and drew local and international attention.

March 2025 – The hijacking

In early March, unidentified armed men reportedly boarded the Jaffar Express during its Quetta–Rawalpindi journey. According to survivor testimony, the hijackers forced the train to halt in a remote section near Mach. Passengers described hours of fear and uncertainty as negotiations unfolded. Security forces eventually regained control, but the incident left lasting trauma. Dozens of passengers later required psychological counseling.

“They told us to stay silent and not to move. My child cried, and I thought they would shoot. Those four hours felt like four years.” — survivor account, Mach, March 2025

June 2025 – The railway track blast

On June 18, 2025, a powerful explosion tore through a section of the track in Bolan district just as the Jaffar Express was passing. The blast derailed several carriages, killing at least a dozen people and injuring more than 30, according to local officials. Rescue workers faced difficulties reaching the site because of rugged terrain. For many survivors, the shock was compounded by the lack of immediate medical care — some had to wait hours before evacuation.

Eyewitnesses recalled a deafening noise, carriages jolting off the tracks, and clouds of dust making it impossible to see. Mobile phone networks in the area collapsed, leaving relatives across Pakistan scrambling for news of loved ones.

July–August 2025 – Follow-up incidents

Through July and August, at least two smaller blasts were reported on tracks regularly used by the Jaffar Express. Though these caused fewer casualties, they underscored the vulnerability of the railway system. Officials admitted that patrolling hundreds of kilometers of tracks daily was logistically daunting.

Human impact: survivor accounts

Numbers and headlines cannot capture the psychological toll. Survivors of the hijacking and blasts describe recurring nightmares, fear of travel, and difficulty returning to normal routines. Families of victims struggle with both grief and economic hardship.

One survivor, a university student traveling home for Eid, said she has avoided trains ever since: “I used to love the long ride because it meant I was closer to home. Now I cannot board a train without shaking.”

Another man who lost his brother in the derailment explained: “We waited all night at the hospital, not knowing if he was alive. By the time the body was handed to us, we felt abandoned. Who will take responsibility?”

Such stories highlight the need for trauma-informed responses — not only medical aid but also long-term counseling, financial compensation, and memorialization of victims.

Security vulnerabilities and forensic analysis

The repeated targeting of the Jaffar Express raises urgent questions about how militants exploit weak points in Pakistan’s transport infrastructure. Security experts point to several overlapping vulnerabilities:

• Track surveillance gaps: Hundreds of kilometers of track pass through isolated, mountainous terrain. Physical monitoring is costly and often irregular.
• Limited CCTV coverage: Most railway stations outside major cities lack cameras. Even when cameras exist, poor maintenance means footage is unreliable.
• Slow emergency response: Rescue and security teams often take hours to reach sites in Balochistan due to geography and limited resources.
• Insider threats: In several past railway attacks, investigators found evidence that insiders may have provided logistical details to militants.

Forensic teams examining the June derailment concluded that the explosive was planted in advance, triggered remotely. The sophistication suggests organized militants rather than lone actors. Investigators reportedly recovered fragments of military-grade explosives — a detail consistent with previous claims about supplies circulating through smuggling routes in the region.

Patterns from past railway attacks

Pakistan is not alone in facing railway terrorism. Attacks on trains have been documented globally, from Mumbai (2006) to Madrid (2004) and London (2005). Militants often target trains because:

• They carry large numbers of civilians in confined spaces.
• Symbolically, they represent national connectivity and state presence.
• They provide high-impact visuals for media coverage.

In Pakistan, groups such as the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) have previously claimed responsibility for targeting railways, while Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has focused more on security forces and urban bombings. Analysts warn that overlapping networks sometimes share tactics and resources, complicating attribution.

Policy and government responses

Following the 2025 attacks, Pakistan Railways announced several immediate measures:

• Increased patrols along vulnerable sections of the Quetta–Rawalpindi line.
• Deployment of sniffer dogs and bomb disposal units at select stations.
• Installation of surveillance drones for random sweeps of remote tracks.
• Introduction of passenger screening protocols at Quetta and Rawalpindi terminals.

Yet critics argue these steps are reactive rather than systemic. Long-term solutions may require:

1. Comprehensive modernization of Pakistan Railways infrastructure, including CCTV, sensors, and digital tracking.
2. Joint coordination between federal and provincial security forces for real-time intelligence sharing.
3. Community engagement so that locals in rural Balochistan report suspicious activity along tracks.
4. Legal reform ensuring swift prosecution of railway sabotage cases, with victim compensation frameworks.

International reactions

Embassies of several countries issued travel advisories in June and July 2025 warning citizens against using Pakistan’s long-distance trains, particularly in Balochistan. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) also expressed concern, noting that attacks on civilian infrastructure may constitute war crimes under international humanitarian law.

Railway experts from India and Iran publicly expressed solidarity, pointing to shared challenges of securing long stretches of vulnerable track. Some regional analysts have suggested cross-border intelligence collaboration, especially regarding smuggling routes that supply explosives.

Media coverage and ethical dilemmas

The Jaffar Express attacks posed challenges for journalists. Initial coverage focused heavily on casualty figures, sometimes conflicting between government and local sources. Survivor accounts were often underreported in early dispatches. Over time, Pakistani media outlets began highlighting human stories, though some coverage veered toward sensationalism.

Ethical questions include:

• Should graphic images of derailments be published, or do they retraumatize victims?
• How can journalists cover militant groups without amplifying their propaganda?
• What responsibility do editors have to verify casualty numbers before publication?

International journalism watchdogs have urged Pakistani outlets to adopt conflict-sensitive reporting frameworks, balancing public interest with victim dignity. Doing so also prevents misinformation, which militants sometimes exploit to claim exaggerated impact.

Human rights and humanitarian perspectives

Beyond the immediate casualties, attacks on trains raise complex human rights issues. The right to safe travel is part of the broader right to freedom of movement, recognized in Article 13 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. When militants deliberately target trains, they attack not only individuals but also communities’ ability to connect and thrive.

Humanitarian agencies emphasize three urgent needs:

1. Medical relief: Ensuring hospitals in Quetta and surrounding towns are equipped to handle mass casualty incidents.
2. Psychological support: Providing trauma counseling to survivors, particularly children who may face lifelong anxiety.
3. Economic compensation: Supporting families who lose breadwinners in such attacks, preventing cycles of poverty.

Pakistan’s National Commission for Human Rights has called for a victim-centered approach, warning that neglect fuels grievances. Civil society groups in Balochistan have echoed these demands, linking railway security to broader issues of inclusion and trust in the state.

Comparative global lessons

Studying how other countries responded to railway attacks provides practical insights:

• Spain (Madrid 2004): Massive investment in rail security and intelligence after coordinated bombings.
• India (Mumbai 2006): Enhanced commuter screening and expansion of anti-terrorism units focused on railways.
• UK (London 2005): Integration of surveillance technology with real-time police coordination.

Pakistan can adapt lessons, but local context matters: long stretches of sparsely populated track in Balochistan require unique solutions such as community-based monitoring and drone surveillance, rather than purely urban-style measures.

Community voices and local perspectives

Beyond government statements and expert commentary, the most powerful insights often come from ordinary people directly affected. In Quetta and Bolan, community elders emphasized that insecurity on the railways disrupts not only travel but also trade, family ties, and education. Parents are increasingly hesitant to allow their children to study in cities far from home. Shopkeepers near railway stations reported declining sales as passengers avoid long journeys.

Community organizations have suggested localized security committees where residents can liaise with railway police. “No drone or CCTV can replace the eyes and ears of locals,” one activist said. Such grassroots measures could improve trust between authorities and communities that often feel marginalized.

Technology and the future of rail safety

Globally, rail systems are integrating advanced technology for prevention and response. Pakistan is beginning to explore similar initiatives, including:

• Track sensors: Devices that detect tampering or unusual vibrations before a train arrives.
• Drone patrols: Rapid aerial sweeps of high-risk track segments, particularly in remote areas.
• Passenger data integration: Linking ticketing with national ID systems for better monitoring of potential threats.
• AI-driven CCTV: Using machine learning to flag suspicious movements at stations.

Critics warn that technology alone cannot solve deep-rooted security challenges. Any surveillance upgrades must be accompanied by transparency, privacy safeguards, and community trust-building.

Legal accountability and justice

One of the most painful grievances expressed by survivors is the absence of visible justice. Families of victims from earlier attacks say trials drag on for years, with little clarity on outcomes. Human rights lawyers argue that without credible accountability, the cycle of violence will continue.

Parliamentarians from Balochistan have called for a special tribunal focused on infrastructure sabotage. Meanwhile, civil society groups are pushing for legal reforms that guarantee compensation and witness protection for survivors who testify against militant networks.

Conclusion: where do we go from here?

The 2025 Jaffar Express hijacking and attacks are not isolated tragedies — they are symptoms of systemic challenges. Pakistan must recognize railway security as a national priority, not a secondary issue. A comprehensive approach requires:

• Modernized infrastructure and technology.
• Community engagement to bridge trust gaps.
• Swift and transparent legal accountability.
• Humanitarian support for survivors and families.

If handled with urgency and empathy, the crisis could become a turning point — transforming railways from soft targets into symbols of resilience. If neglected, however, Pakistan risks not only more tragedies but also the erosion of public confidence in one of its most vital lifelines.