Islamabad, Pakistan – Pakistani security forces are closed in what it describes as a “complex operation” against a group of separatists who Train Earlier on Tuesday. The train was traveling from Kitta, the capital of the province in the southwestern Balochistan Province, to Bishhawar, the capital of the northwestern Khyberbuch Bakhtunuhua Province.

The fighters belonging to the Baluch Liberation Army, a separatist group seeking to secede Baluchistan from Pakistan, claimed responsibility for the attack.

They targeted Jafar Express, where the train was passing through a series of tunnels near the city of Sibi, about 160 km (100 miles) from Quetta.

While security sources said that their military action is underway, the authorities also confirmed that a group of passengers had made their way to a smaller station near the attack site.

Rana Farch, a railway in Pakistan in Kuetta, said nearly 70 passengers, including women, children and the elderly, arrived at the Banir railway station, about 6 kilometers (4 miles) from the attack site.

“They completed the trip on foot, after the railway track,” said Farrukh from the island, without providing more details about the passengers.

The train was passing through the Polan Pass, a rugged mountainous area, when it was attacked.

Here is what we know so far about the attack and the current situation and what is the background behind the struggle that has continued for decades between separatist groups and the Pakistani state in Balochistan.

What happened to Jaffar Express?

The train was carrying more than 400 passengers, including many women and children, as well as dozens of security personnel.

I left from Quetta at 9 am (04:00 GMT) on Tuesday morning, and started a trip of more than 1,600 km (994 miles) via Punjab to reach its final destination in Bishau. The journey takes approximately 30 hours, with a stop at about 30 stations throughout the country.

Railways officials said the attack took place at about 1 pm (08:00 GMT) while the train passed through the Polan Corridor. The region is home to several tunnels, originally built during the British colonial rule.

Who claimed responsibility, and how did the government respond?

Bla, who carried out many attacks in the province over the past few years, have been responsible for the attack.

In a statement, the group claimed that they had killed at least six military personnel and bombed the railway path, forcing the train to stop. Bla warned that any military operation in response to what are “severe consequences.” The attackers claimed that the passengers on the train were now hostages – although dozens of passengers had later arrived.

The Pakistani army has not yet issued any official statement regarding claims, and has not responded to Al -Jazeera inquiries.

Shahid Rennd, spokesman for the provincial government, said that the authorities imposed a state of emergency in hospitals in Sibi, the nearest city, in essence, put all medical professionals there on alert to attend any victims of the attack.

Government officials also condemned the attack. The Minister of Interior, Mohsen Naqafi, also expressed his prayers in order to restore the wounded.

“The monsters who shoot at innocent passengers do not deserve any concessions.”

What do we know about losses, and how does the government respond?

Hospitals in Kuetta and Sibi are at maximum alert, but no passengers have been brought in there late Tuesday night.

Railways officials said that the mobile connection in the distant terrain is rugged almost not exist, making it difficult to get updates in time.

Security sources claim that the attackers use some women and children as human shields, which prevents a comprehensive attack against them.

The authorities also warned of the online misinformation campaign aimed at spreading panic.

Why was there an increase in attacks in Balochistan?

Balochistan is the largest province in Pakistan, according to the region, but it is the least developed, with a population of 15 million.

Although it is rich in minerals and natural resources, including copper and gas, the boycott has long been the location of the conflict between the locals and the government.

The separatists, who are asking for independence from Pakistan, accuses the kidnapping and persecution of those who speak against it.

The China -Pakistani Economic Corridor (CPEC), a MEGA MEVENCED project, added 62 billion dollars launched a decade ago, another layer of complexity to the conflict.

BLA has carried out many attacks on Chinese interests, including in GWADAR Port, the main project for CPEC. Many Chinese citizens were killed in these attacks.

In recent months, Balochistan has witnessed a dramatic increase in violence. Last month, at least 18 soldiers were killed in the Bla attack in Kalaat. Earlier in March, a female suicide bomber also detonated herself, in Kalaat, killing the law enforcement officer.

Jaffar Express has also been targeted several times. Last year, BLA fighters bombed a section of the path, stopping the train service for two months.

In November, a suicide bombing at the Kitta Railway Station targeted the train just before leaving, killing at least 30 people, including security personnel.

How did BLA strengthen its capabilities?

Analysts believe that Bla’s increasing power reflects the state’s failure to confront BLA fighters and its dependence on old strategies.

Malik Siraj Akbar, Washington -based Balochistan specialist, said that BLA has evolved from carrying out small attacks, such as targeting individuals or sabotage pipelines, to large -scale operations.

“The group is now in charge of major attacks, such as the recent attack on the passenger train. This transformation reflects all the growing audacity and confidence that the government lacks the ability to contain it, not to mention its follow -up effectively after such prominent terrorist acts.”

Rafiullah Kakar, a political analyst specializing in Balochistan, said that BLA has strengthened the leadership structure, giving the field militants more direct control of operations.

“In addition, access to advanced weapons, some of which were left by the American forces in Afghanistan, strengthened the group’s power, which made their attacks more deadly and developed,” Kakar told the island of the island.

Why did the state fail to reduce BLA?

In January, the Institute of Thought Pak Pak for Peace Studies, based in Islamabad, warned that the situation in Baluchistan “warns of danger.” Its report indicated an increase of 119 percent in the attacks, with more than 150 accidents recorded last year.

The state has announced plans for a major military campaign in Balochistan, but it has not yet been fulfilled.

However, Akbar says that in the aftermath of such attacks, the state has repeatedly launched military operations – as these wheat targets often civilians with innocent blush, without evidence that links them with BLA or rebellion.

He said: “It seems that the government is more interested in optics than justice, taking into account that its function has been accomplished as soon as some bodies fall on the camera, claiming a quick revenge.”

He also argued that the army was in a non -favorable position in retaliation against fighters in Balochistan.

“Bla has a superior knowledge of the terrain, while the security forces, which are often come from Khyber Bakhtongua and Punjab, lacks land and roads. This gives the rebels a great advantage,” said Akbar, adding that the army was suffering from intelligence failures.

Can the government stop Bla’s return?

Kakar, who is following a doctorate at Cambridge University, argued that the worsening security situation not only stems from the intelligence failure, but from the separation between the state and the Baluch citizens.

He said: “Over the past decade, the boycott has become a laboratory for political engineering led by the military, with six different ministers in 10 years, with the exception of advanced settings.”

He added that this instability may erode democratic processes, which undermines parliamentary policy as a viable means of political struggle.

“The largest beneficiaries of this increasing division of the government state were the Baloch rebels, who are increasingly able to recruit young people ready to start suicide tasks,” Kakar said.

Mazer agreed, on the pretext that the state refuses to treat the Baluch residents in dignity.

He said: “Islamabad relies on the boycott administration, which works as an army doll, and prompted propaganda to persuade the world that there is no crisis in Balochistan and that the state is still in control of.”

Participated in additional reports from Saadallah, I chose from Quetta, Pakistan