Gul Rahman, alias Ustad Mureed, the mastermind of the Jaffar Express terrorist attack, was killed in Afghanistan’s Helmand province on September 17, 2025. Rahman was the operational commander of the Indian-sponsored Fitna al Hindustan (Majeed Brigade) group. His death is a major blow to the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA).
On March 11, 2025, BLA militants hijacked the Jaffar Express train from Quetta to Peshawar. The attack in Bolan Pass killed 26 hostages, including 18 soldiers, and injured many. Security forces rescued 346 passengers after a 30-hour operation, killing 33 terrorists. Rahman planned the assault, using Afghan handlers for coordination.
BLA’s Majeed Brigade commander Rahman Gul Baloch, mastermind of the Jaffer Express hijack, reportedly killed in Afghanistan’s Helmand.
Reports yet to be verified#Balochistan #terrorism
Read more: https://t.co/6o4csqslnt pic.twitter.com/fe1LfHgP4L
— IndiaToday (@IndiaToday) September 18, 2025
Rahman, a former Pakistani army officer, led BLA’s Majeed Brigade. He modernised the group with urban warfare training, IEDs, and suicide bombings. The brigade claimed attacks on Karachi Airport and Gwadar Port in 2024. The US designated BLA and the Majeed Brigade as Foreign Terrorist Organisations in August 2025.
Rahman died under unclear conditions in Helmand’s Sangin district. Pakistani sources link it to cross-border operations. Afghanistan denies involvement. The killing highlights Afghan soil’s use for anti-Pakistan terrorism, as per ISPR.
Read: Pakistan Army Completes Jaffar Express Rescue Operation
Rahman’s death disrupts BLA operations, reducing threats to Pakistani forces and civilians. It underscores Pakistan’s push against Indian-backed militants. With BLA attacks up 45% in 2024 per the Global Terrorism Index, this is a security win. Gul Rahman’s killing in Afghanistan marks a key moment in Pakistan’s fight against terrorism. As BLA faces setbacks, hopes for stability rise.