Train Hijacking Sends Shockwaves Across South Asia
Pakistan has been hit by a devastating terrorist attack that sends shockwaves across South Asia. In what appears to be a first, separatist militants hijacked a train traveling from Quetta, the capital of Balochistan, to Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), a group waging a violent separatist campaign for two decades, has claimed responsibility. The militants, believed to be operating from safe havens in Afghanistan, say they have released civilian passengers while keeping security personnel hostage.
Reports indicate that 20 soldiers have been killed, 182 people taken hostage, and the train is currently trapped in a tunnel with its driver wounded. The BLA has issued a chilling threat: any military operation against them will lead to mass executions.
Deep-Rooted Terrorism Problem
This attack underscores the deep-rooted terrorism problem in the region. South Asia’s northwestern sector—India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan—grapples with extremist violence, while the eastern and northeastern sectors—India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar—also struggle with insurgent threats. The problem is exacerbated by the entangled fates of these nations. Any meaningful solution must involve all stakeholders.
Pakistan’s Policies and the Path Forward
Successive Pakistani regimes have long been accused of exporting terrorism to India, failing to recognize that their own policies have destabilized their country more than any other. In many ways, terrorism has inflicted greater damage on Pakistan itself, pushing it toward state failure. The only path forward is meaningful dialogue between nations. But diplomacy requires good faith. For Pakistan, that means dismantling its terror networks. Other nations must also commit to strengthening democratic, multicultural institutions to root out extremism at its core.
Author: This news is edited by: Abhishek Verma, (Editor, CANON TIMES)
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