Bloody Conflict in Balochistan.. Pakistani Security Forces Rescue 155 Passengers from Hijacked Train
The confrontation between the Pakistani government and separatists represents an extension of a decades-long conflict over control of the region's resources and fair distribution of wealth
March 12, 2025, 9:47 pm

Bloody Conflict in Balochistan.. Pakistani Security Forces Rescue 155 Passengers from Hijacked Train

Photo by Somchai Kongkamsri: https://www.pexels.com/photo/brown-helicopter-flying-above-green-field-during-daytime-90283/

Pakistani forces have recovered at least 155 passengers out of more than 450 who were aboard a train attacked Tuesday by Baloch separatists in the southwest of the country, according to security sources on Wednesday, noting that 27 attackers have been killed so far.

Pakistani forces have been working for more than 20 hours to free the hostages and regain control of the train and the entire area, where the Balochistan Liberation Army, the main separatist group in this oil and mineral-rich province despite being the poorest in the country, detonated the railway track to force the "Jaffar Express" train to stop.

The militants had earlier threatened to begin executing hostages if military operations against them continued, demanding the release of Baloch political prisoners, activists, and missing persons within 48 hours.

Police officer Rana Dilawar reported: "The targeted train remains at the site and militants are still holding passengers. Security forces have launched a large-scale operation," using helicopters and special forces to control the deteriorating situation.

Local authorities, police, and railway officials indicated that the train was surrounded in a tunnel and that the driver died after sustaining serious injuries during the sudden attack.

The Balochistan Liberation Army stated that it had bombed the railway line and "quickly took control of the train," announcing that it would execute 10 people in response to the ongoing military operation.

The Balochistan Liberation Army demanded the release within 48 hours of political prisoners, activists, and missing Baloch people whom they claimed the Pakistani army had "kidnapped," affirming their readiness "to exchange detainees," but threatening that "if our demands are not met within the specified period or if the occupying state attempts any military action during this period, all prisoners of war will be neutralized and the entire train will be destroyed."

The group, which is fighting for the independence of Balochistan province bordering Afghanistan and Iran, announced that among the hostages were Pakistani army personnel and security officials who were heading for vacation.

Dilawar revealed that some militants had taken a group of about 35 hostages to the mountains, while others still control the train. An explosion was heard near the tunnel followed by an exchange of gunfire with militants in a mountainous area.

A security source who requested anonymity said that a large number of people were killed in the attack, adding that 80 military personnel were among the passengers on the targeted train.

Both sources confirmed that "the operation will continue until the last terrorist is eliminated," while the Balochistan Liberation Army denied suffering any casualties, claiming it had killed 30 soldiers and shot down a drone, which has not been confirmed by Pakistani authorities.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif condemned the attack, noting that security officials are "confronting" the militants who targeted the Jaffar Express fast train during its journey from Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province, to Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.