Pakistan’s Jaffar Express Targeted Again in Bomb Blast, Six Coaches Derailed—No Casualties Reported
In yet another attack on civilian infrastructure, the Jaffar Express—a major passenger train service in Pakistan—was rocked by a bomb blast on Wednesday, resulting in the derailment of six carriages near Jacobabad in Sindh province.
While authorities confirmed there were no reported casualties, the incident marks the second major assault on the train in just a few months, raising fresh concerns over the deteriorating internal security situation in the country.
The explosion occurred near Jacobabad’s cattle market, a relatively busy area, and caused immediate chaos on the railway line that links Sindh to Balochistan, a province long marred by insurgency and separatist violence.
Law enforcement swiftly cordoned off the area, and an investigation has been launched into the nature and origin of the blast. So far, no group has claimed responsibility.
Railway operations along the route have been temporarily suspended, with officials scrambling to assess the damage and restore services.
This attack, though not yet officially attributed, bears the hallmarks of insurgent groups operating in the restive Balochistan region, where separatist factions have frequently targeted infrastructure to make political statements.
In March, the same train service was attacked in the Bolan district, also in Balochistan, in a far more dramatic incident. Then, the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) not only bombed the train but also reportedly hijacked it, forcing the Pakistan Army to launch a rescue operation.
A Bitter Turn of History?
While Pakistan reels from these attacks, some observers have noted a striking irony—one rooted in the country’s long-standing involvement in supporting insurgent and militant activities beyond its borders.
For decades, Pakistan has faced accusations from neighboring countries, particularly India and Afghanistan, of harboring and aiding non-state actors that have carried out terrorist operations across international borders.
Groups operating with impunity inside Pakistan have been linked to attacks in Kashmir, Mumbai, Pathankot, and, more recently, in Pahalgam, all leading to mounting global scrutiny.
Now, as Balochistan-based insurgents appear emboldened and more sophisticated in their operations, Pakistan finds itself dealing with the very tools of asymmetric warfare it once allegedly turned outward.
Civilian infrastructure—especially railways—has become a soft target, symbolizing both the state’s vulnerability and the erosion of its control over contested territories.
Jacobabad, which lies on the strategic transit route between Balochistan and Sindh, is particularly vulnerable to such attacks. The frequency and brazenness of these incidents are also a reflection of the fragile internal coherence of the Pakistani state, as local grievances—especially in Balochistan—go unaddressed, and separatist narratives gain ground.
Train of Insecurity
The Jaffar Express, a vital rail link running from Quetta to Peshawar, has unfortunately become a recurring target in this simmering low-intensity conflict.
Named after Mir Jaffar Khan Jamali, a Baloch nationalist and Pakistan’s first Prime Minister, the train was once considered a bridge of integration between Balochistan and the rest of the country.
Now, its very name echoes with bitter irony as it becomes a symbol of division and discord.
The ongoing wave of attacks has sent shockwaves across Pakistan’s railway system, which is already struggling with underinvestment, outdated infrastructure, and safety lapses.
Wednesday’s bombing only adds to the mounting challenges faced by Pakistan Railways in maintaining service reliability amid growing threats.
While security agencies are continuing their probe into Wednesday’s attack, analysts say a shift in Pakistan’s internal security narrative is now impossible to ignore. What was once viewed as a strategy for external leverage has turned inward, manifesting as a homegrown crisis of governance, legitimacy, and control.
As no lives were lost this time, authorities and citizens alike are breathing a temporary sigh of relief. But with insurgents continuing to strike with impunity, Pakistan now faces a stark question: Is it now reaping the whirlwind of the seeds it once sowed?
