The separatist militant organisation Baloch Liberation Army has claimed responsibility for a major attack on a Pakistani military shuttle train near Quetta Cantonment in Balochistan, alleging that dozens of Pakistani soldiers were killed and injured during the operation. According to the group, the attack resulted in the deaths of 82 military personnel and left another 121 wounded, although these figures have not been independently verified.
In a statement released by the BLA’s so-called Majeed Brigade, the organisation said the attack targeted a military train near Chaman Phatak, located on the outskirts of Quetta Cantonment railway station. The group claimed the operation was carried out jointly by its suicide unit and its intelligence wing, known as “ZIRAB.”
The BLA stated that those allegedly killed or injured included officers, non-commissioned officers, soldiers, and military recruits belonging to different units of the Pakistan Army. According to the separatist group, the attack was carefully planned after what it described as extensive surveillance and intelligence gathering over a prolonged period.
The organisation further claimed that a suicide attacker struck the military shuttle train at approximately 8 am local time. The BLA alleged that the Pakistani military had recently adopted secret transportation arrangements for troop movements after earlier attacks carried out by the group on railway infrastructure and military logistics networks across Balochistan.
Describing the operation as a major setback for Pakistan’s military establishment in the province, the BLA said the attack demonstrated vulnerabilities in the army’s security measures despite increased precautions. The group once again reiterated its long-standing opposition to the Pakistani state’s presence and military operations in Balochistan, a province that has witnessed decades of separatist insurgency, militant violence, and security crackdowns.
The region remains one of Pakistan’s most volatile areas, with separatist organisations frequently accusing the central government of political marginalisation, economic exploitation, enforced disappearances, and human rights violations. Pakistani authorities, meanwhile, have consistently accused separatist militant groups of carrying out terrorist attacks against civilians, security forces, and state infrastructure with external support.
Despite the BLA’s detailed claims regarding the incident, there was no immediate confirmation from the Pakistani military or government authorities regarding the reported casualty figures or the exact nature of the attack. Official statements from Pakistan’s armed forces had not yet verified the number of soldiers allegedly killed or injured at the time the claims surfaced.
The incident is likely to intensify security concerns in Balochistan, particularly around military transportation routes, railway infrastructure, and cantonment areas, where separatist groups have repeatedly launched attacks in recent years. The attack also highlights the continuing instability in the province despite ongoing military operations aimed at suppressing insurgent activity.
If the casualty figures claimed by the BLA are confirmed, the assault could rank among the deadliest recent attacks targeting Pakistani security forces in Balochistan. However, independent verification remains unavailable, and Pakistani authorities have not yet publicly responded in detail to the separatist group’s assertions.
