The Pakistani military confirmed Friday that the death toll from Tuesday's Jaffar Express train hijacking has risen to 31, with officials accusing India and Afghanistan of supporting the militant attack in Balochistan province [1][3].

Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), revealed that among the casualties were 18 security personnel, three railway employees, five civilians, and five operational casualties [1]. An additional 37 passengers were injured during the incident.

The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) militants attacked the train carrying approximately 440 passengers near the Bolan Pass on March 11, using explosives to halt the train and taking hostages in a 36-hour standoff [2]. Pakistani security forces claim they killed 33 militants and rescued 354 passengers [1].

The BLA has issued conflicting claims, stating they executed 214 military hostages after their demands for a prisoner exchange went unmet [7][8]. However, Pakistani officials have dismissed these claims as exaggerated, with no evidence provided to support the rebels' statement [10].

The incident has sparked diplomatic tensions, with Pakistan's military leadership accusing India of being the "main sponsor of terrorism in Balochistan" [1]. India's External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal strongly rejected these allegations, stating that "Pakistan should look inwards instead of pointing fingers and shifting the blame for its own internal problems" [13].

The United Nations Security Council has condemned the attack and called for international cooperation to bring the perpetrators to justice [14]. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has also expressed solidarity with Pakistan and condemned the militant attack [10].