Jaffar Express Attack Mastermind Killed in Afghanistan

Gul Rahman, the mastermind behind the deadly Jaffar Express terrorist attack, was killed in Afghanistan’s Helmand province. He died under mysterious circumstances on September 17, 2025. Known by the alias Ustad Mureed, he was linked to several deadly attacks in Pakistan. Reports say he led the Indian-sponsored proxy group Fitna al Hindustan, also called the Majeed Brigade. His death raises concerns about ongoing terrorist activity from Afghan soil.

Gul Rahman trained fighters and planned operations targeting Pakistan. He directed attacks on civilians, security forces, Chinese nationals, and key institutions. Pakistani sources say his death proves that Afghan territory remains a base for anti-Pakistan terrorism. Officials stress that such threats continue despite repeated warnings to Afghan authorities. They call for stronger action to stop cross-border terrorist networks.

One of Gul Rahman’s most notorious acts was planning the Jaffar Express hijacking. On March 11, 2025, the train was hijacked while traveling from Quetta to Peshawar. The attack killed 64 people, including 18 soldiers, and held over 300 passengers hostage. Security forces rescued many and killed 33 hijackers during the operation. The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attack.

In August 2025, the United States officially designated the BLA and its Majeed Brigade faction as Foreign Terrorist Organizations. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the move under U.S. immigration and national security laws. The Majeed Brigade was also listed as an alias under the BLA’s previous designation as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist entity. This decision followed their repeated attacks across Pakistan.

Since its 2019 designation, the BLA has claimed responsibility for multiple high-profile attacks. In 2024, it carried out bombings near Karachi Airport and Gwadar Port. Its most brutal act was the March 2025 train hijacking. Gul Rahman’s death is seen as a blow to the group’s leadership. Still, officials warn that the threat from Indian-backed terror networks operating in Afghanistan remains active.