In yet another blow to Pakistan’s internal security, militants seized control of a train in the Bolan area of Balochistan on March 11. The Jaffar Express, with around 500 passengers in nine coaches, was travelling from Quetta to Peshawar. An army spokesperson said that the attack was quelled the next day after all 33 militants were killed. He added that 21 passengers and four soldiers were slain by the militants. The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) later claimed responsibility for the attack.
Less than two months ago, on January 28, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Afffairs had issued a statement on its China policy, with a spokesperson declaring that Pakistan’s relations with China remain unchanged and that Islamabad continues to support the one-China policy. The statement came after Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi attended an event sponsored by an anti-China group called the New Federal State of China (NFSC) during his US visit in January.
Although the Minister rejected the contention that the event was anti-China, the development underlined the sensitivity of Pakistan-China relations and Islamabad’s efforts to balance its relations with the US and China.
