Home to about 15 million of Pakistan’s estimated 240 million people, according to the 2023 census, Balochistan remains the country’s poorest region despite being rich in natural resources such as coal, gold, copper, and gas. These resources generate substantial revenue for the federal government.

The Jaffar Express, with some 400 passengers on board in nine bogies, was on its way from Quetta in Pakistan's to Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Pakistan’s prime minister has commended the country’s armed forces for successfully rescuing 339 passengers after a deadly train hijacking by insurgents in the southwest

The death toll from a militant hijacking of a train in Pakistan's southwestern mountains has risen to 31 soldiers, staff and civilians, the military said on Friday as it accused India and Afghanistan of backing the insurgents.

Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) insurgents hijacked the Jaffar Express in Pakistan, blowing up the railway track en route from Quetta to Peshawar and killing military personnel (here, here, here, and here).