The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist militant group, claimed responsibility for the attack. The group also claimed to have taken hostages from the train, including security personnel. Balochistan has seen a long-running insurgency by separatist militant groups, which have carried out attacks against the government, army, and Chinese interests. These groups demand a greater share of the province’s gas and mineral resources. The BLA, the largest of these groups, seeks independence forBalochistan. In October last year, Pakistan Railways announced the restoration of train services between Quetta and Peshawar after a suspension of more than a month and a half, according to the DAWN. The train, Jaffar Express, carrying about 400 passengers in nine bogies, was traveling from Quetta in Balochistani to Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa when it came under attack. It was derailed in Mashkaf, Dhadar, Bolan.