Pakistan Railways halts all passenger and cargo operations following intelligence warnings of a high-impact militant attack planned for December 25.
December 25, 2025: In a swift move to avert a potential national tragedy, Pakistan Railways suspended all train operations across the restive province of Balochistan today, Thursday, December 25, 2025. The decision follows specific and credible intelligence warnings regarding a planned large-scale attack by Baloch separatist groups on the birth anniversary of Pakistan’s founder, Mohammad Ali Jinnah.
Intelligence Brief: Targeting National Symbols
Security agencies reportedly intercepted communications indicating that militant factions, including the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), aimed to carry out symbolic attacks to “embarrass the state” on a high-profile national holiday.
- The Threat: Sources suggest the target was railway infrastructure in the remote, mountainous Bolan Pass—the same region where a traumatic train hijacking occurred in March 2025.
- Symbolism: Attacks on December 25 (Quaid-e-Azam Day) are often sought by insurgents to signal a challenge to the state’s authority on a day of national unity.
Preceding Attacks: A Week of Sabotage
The total suspension today comes after a string of IED attacks on railway tracks earlier this week:
- December 23 (Tuesday): A powerful IED exploded on the main track near Dera Murad Jamali, damaging four feet of rail. A second 10 kg bomb was discovered and defused by the Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) just meters away.
- December 19 (Friday): Twin bombings in the Mushkaf and Dasht areas targeted the tracks of the Quetta-bound Jaffer Express and Bolan Mail. While the tracks were damaged, both trains narrowly escaped the blast sites.
Operations Halted: Disruption at Quetta Station
The sudden cancellation has left hundreds of travelers stranded at the Quetta Railway Station during the peak winter travel season.
| Train Service | Status (Dec 25) | Tentative Resumption |
| Jaffer Express (Quetta to Peshawar) | Suspended | Dec 26 (Subject to clearance) |
| Bolan Mail (Quetta to Karachi) | Suspended | Dec 26 (Subject to clearance) |
| Chaman Passenger (Border link) | Suspended | Dec 26 (Subject to clearance) |
| Cargo/Freight Services | Halted | Ongoing security review |
Official Quote: “The safety of our passengers is paramount. We are coordinating with the Frontier Corps (FC) and railway police to conduct a full scan of the Quetta-Sibi-Mach sector before resuming services,” a senior Pakistan Railways official stated.
The Wider Context: A Year of Railway Terror
Balochistan’s railway network has become a primary battlefield in 2025.
The March Hijacking: On March 11, BLA militants hijacked the Jaffer Express for over 30 hours, leading to the deaths of 31 people (including 18 off-duty soldiers).
Quetta Blast: A suicide bombing at the Quetta Railway Station in late 2024 remains fresh in the public memory, having claimed 26 lives.
Economic Impact: The frequent shutdowns are crippling the province’s supply chain, as rail is the primary mode for transporting fuel and essential winter supplies to the highland regions.