A recent fact-checking investigation has revealed that several media outlets misreported the location of the Balochistan Liberation Army’s (BLA) train hijacking incident. The correct location of the attack has been verified through geolocation analysis and satellite imagery.
Key Findings:
1. Geolocation Confirms Exact Attack Site: The BLA’s footage was analyzed using Google Maps, Google Earth Pro, and open-source verification techniques. The footage matches satellite imagery at coordinates 29.648247968285144, 67.58215436031169, 13 km northwest of the Mashkaf Railway Tunnel.
2. Media Misreporting: Multiple outlets, including Dawn, 92 News, and The Independent (UK), published incorrect maps placing the attack near Mashkaf Tunnel or between Pehro Kunri and Mashkaf stations.
3. ISPR Confirms Findings: Pakistan’s military media wing, ISPR, released footage matching the geolocated coordinates, further validating the correct location.
Background on the Attack:
– Date: 11 March 2024
– Target: Jaffar Express (Quetta to Peshawar passenger train)
– BLA’s Claims: Held 214 hostages, killed 30 security personnel
– Official Reports: 33 attackers killed, 21 civilians + 4 military personnel killed, 300 passengers rescued
Why Misreporting Matters:
– Misleading maps distort public understanding of security threats
– BLA’s propaganda benefits from unverified media amplification
– Security implications: Incorrect locations could affect emergency responses
Broader Context: BLA’s Escalating Attacks
– 2024 Surge: Over 150 attacks
– Recent Major Incidents:
– March 2024: Failed attack on PNS Siddique Naval Base (Turbat)
– 20 March 2024: Gwadar Port Authority Complex attack (8 militants killed)
– January 2024: Mach Town assault (police station, railway station, jail targeted)
– November 2024: Quetta Railway Station suicide bombing (26 killed)
Conclusion: Fact vs. Fiction
– Correct Location: 29.648247968285144, 67.58215436031169 (13 km NW of Mashkaf Tunnel, before Pehro Kunri Station)
– False Claims:
– Not near Mashkaf Tunnel
– Not between Pehro Kunri and Mashkaf stations
– Not in Bolan (generalized in some reports)
Recommendation: Media outlets should cross-verify locations using geolocation tools before publishing maps or claims from militant groups.
