Zafar Express in Pakistan has once again been targeted by Baloch militants. Three coaches of Jaafar Express from Quetta to Rawalpindi derailed due to a heavy explosion on the railway track near Shikarpur district of Sindh. The Baloch Republican Guards (BRG) claimed responsibility for the attack, causing a stir in Pakistan’s security agencies.
The Baloch Republican Guards claimed responsibility for the attack
The Baloch Republican Guards in their statement issued on 26 January 2026 said that their commandos deliberately targeted the Jafar Express from Quetta to Peshawar. The BRG said in clear words that “such attacks will continue till the independence of Balochistan.”
Railway tracks blown up by IEDs
According to BRG, an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) was planted on the railway track in Sultankot town between Shikarpur and Jacobabad. It was detonated by remote control. The organization claims that Pakistani army soldiers were traveling in the train, many soldiers were killed and many injured in the blast. After the explosion, many coaches of the train derailed. However, Pakistani authorities have not yet officially confirmed the number of soldiers killed or injured.
Jafar Express has been targeted several times in a year
Jafar Express has been the target of continuous attacks by Baloch militant organizations for the past one year. On 11 March 2025, the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) launched its first major attack on the Jafar Express. At that time there were 440 passengers on the train. After this, in June, August, September, October and December 2025, several explosions and attacks were carried out targeting this train.
December 2025: Bal-Bal Bachi Thi Train
In December last year, unknown assailants planted a bomb on the railway track in Shaheed Abdul Aziz Bullo area, although the Zafar Express from Quetta to Peshawar had passed through that section shortly before the blast. Due to which the lives of passengers and railway employees were saved.
September 2025: 12 injured including women-children
In September 2025, Quetta-bound Zafar Express derailed after a bomb blast in Spezand area of Balochistan’s Mastung district. 12 people including women and children were injured in this attack. There were 270 passengers in the train at that time. This was the second bomb blast in the same area within 10 hours.
Growing concern in Pakistan
Due to these continuous attacks, serious questions are being raised about the security of railway security in Pakistan and especially the security of the Sindh-Baluchistan route. Currently, the blast site has been sealed off, security agencies are investigating and efforts are on to repair the railway track and restore train operations.