Claim: A video shows civilian passengers released by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) hours after the group hijacked the Jaffar Express on 11 March 2025.
Verdict: False
Details of the Claim
On 12 March 2025, an X (formerly Twitter) user (@safarkhanb) shared a video claiming it depicted passengers from the Jaffar Express being released by BLA militants. The caption stated that the BLA provided safe passage to civilians, contradicting the Pakistan Army’s narrative that it had rescued them.
Background: The Jaffar Express Hijacking
– On 11 March 2025, the BLA hijacked the Peshawar-bound Jaffar Express in Bolan Pass, Balochistan.
– The train carried around 450 passengers, including civilians and security personnel.
– The BLA demanded the release of Baloch prisoners, threatening to execute hostages if their demands were unmet.
– Pakistan’s military (ISPR) reported that security forces killed 33 terrorists, rescued 354 hostages, and suffered 4 casualties, while 21 hostages died.
– The BLA, however, claimed it executed 214 hostages, including military personnel, and accused the army of lying about rescues.
Fact-Checking the Viral Video
– Reverse image search* revealed that the video was originally posted on TikTok by @hamida.ansari on 7 March 2025* and later uploaded to YouTube on 9 March 2025—days before the hijacking (11 March).
– The footage shows people in a mountainous area but has *no connection to the Jaffar Express incident.
Conclusion
The viral clip *predates the hijacking* and is being misrepresented to support a false narrative about the BLA releasing hostages.
Why This Matters
Misinformation during crises can escalate tensions, distort public perception, and undermine trust in official accounts. Fact-checking ensures accountability and prevents manipulation of sensitive events.
Final Rating: False – The video is unrelated to the Jaffar Express hijacking.
