Reliance Jio has announced a strategic partnership with SpaceX to introduce Starlink broadband services in India, a move aimed at improving internet accessibility, especially in remote and rural regions. The deal will enable Jio to leverage SpaceX’s low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, enhancing its existing broadband services like JioAirFiber and JioFiber.

Under this collaboration, Starlink equipment will be available at Reliance Jio stores across the country, subject to regulatory approvals. Customers will also have access to installation, activation, and support services provided by Jio.

Boosting India’s digital connectivity

The partnership aligns with Jio’s goal of ensuring high-speed internet access for enterprises, small and medium businesses (SMBs), and communities across the country. By utilizing Starlink’s extensive satellite network, the initiative is expected to bridge connectivity gaps in difficult-to-reach locations.

Gwynne Shotwell, President and COO of SpaceX, welcomed the partnership, stating, “We are looking forward to working with Jio and receiving authorization from the Government of India to provide more people, organizations, and businesses with access to Starlink’s high-speed internet services.”

Regulatory approvals and future collaborations

While the partnership is a significant step, Starlink’s services in India still require clearance from regulatory authorities. Once approved, Starlink broadband services will be available for purchase and activation through Jio’s distribution network.

Additionally, Jio and SpaceX plan to explore other complementary areas of cooperation, utilizing their infrastructure to further strengthen India’s digital ecosystem.

This development follows SpaceX’s recent agreement with Bharti Airtel, which also intends to sell Starlink equipment and provide connectivity solutions to business customers, schools, health centers, and remote communities.

Over 150 hostages were rescued after armed rebels hijacked the Jaffar Express, carrying more than 400 passengers, in Pakistan’s Balochistan region. At least 27 rebels were killed in a prolonged firefight with security forces, as reported by authorities.

Hostages freed amid intense standoff

Security personnel managed to free 155 hostages, including women and children, following an intense gunfight. The rescued individuals were transported to Mach, a nearby town, where a makeshift hospital has been set up for medical care.

The standoff between Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) rebels and Pakistani forces extended overnight. While the Pakistani military confirmed the deaths of 27 rebels, the BLA denied suffering any casualties and instead claimed to have killed 30 soldiers. However, no independent verification of this claim has been made.

Rebels split into smaller groups to escape

According to reports, some of the rebels split into small groups and attempted to escape under the cover of darkness. Security forces pursued them into the mountainous terrain, which posed challenges for the operation. Some hostages were reportedly taken into the mountains by the rebels, but their exact number remains unclear.

Hijacking of Jaffar Express

The Jaffar Express was intercepted in a tunnel on its way from Quetta to Peshawar after the attackers blew up the railway tracks, forcing the train to stop. The rebels also killed the locomotive driver before seizing control of the train.

The BLA, which has been at the forefront of the Baloch separatist movement, later claimed responsibility for the hijacking. The group demanded the release of Baloch political prisoners and individuals who they alleged were forcefully disappeared by the Pakistani military. They threatened to destroy the train if their demands were not met within 48 hours and also warned of executing 10 hostages in retaliation for military action.

Government response and emergency measures

Emergency desks were set up at Peshawar and Quetta railway stations to provide assistance to the relatives of the hostages.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the attack, calling it a “cowardly act” carried out during the fasting month of Ramzan. He vowed to continue Pakistan’s fight against terrorism until it is completely eliminated.

Balochistan has witnessed a surge in violent clashes and enforced disappearances over the past few months. The region has been a hotbed of separatist movements, with groups like the BLA fighting for independence. Last November, a suicide bombing at Quetta railway station killed 26 people and injured 62 others, highlighting the volatile security situation in the region.

The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist group seeking independence for Balochistan from Pakistan, has claimed responsibility for an attack on a passenger train, taking hundreds of passengers hostage and killing six Pakistani military personnel. The incident occurred as the Jaffar Express, carrying over 400 passengers in nine coaches, was traveling from Quetta in Balochistan to Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

According to railway officials, the train was fired upon, forcing it to stop after BLA fighters reportedly blew up sections of the railway track. The group, in a statement signed by its spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch, warned that any military operation to rescue the hostages would result in their execution.

“Any military incursion will be met with an equally forceful response. So far, six military personnel have been killed, and hundreds of passengers remain under BLA custody. The Baloch Liberation Army takes full responsibility for this operation,” the statement read, which was shared on social media.

Security forces have reportedly arrived at the site of the incident in the Mushqaf area of Bolan district, Balochistan. The provincial government has declared an emergency, mobilizing all institutions to address the crisis, according to government spokesperson Shahid Rind.

Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province by area, has been the epicenter of a decades-long insurgency led by separatist groups like the BLA. These groups accuse the Pakistani government of exploiting the region’s rich natural resources, including gas and minerals, without adequately benefiting the local population. The BLA, the largest of these insurgent groups, has frequently targeted government and military installations, as well as Chinese interests in the region, which are seen as symbols of external exploitation.

Despite its vast size, covering nearly 44% of Pakistan’s landmass, Balochistan is the country’s least populated province. It is home to the strategically significant Gwadar Port, one of the world’s largest deep-sea ports, which Pakistan promotes as a key hub for regional and global trade.

Balochistan shares borders with Iran to the west, Afghanistan to the north, and the Pakistani provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and Sindh. Its southern boundary is formed by the Arabian Sea. The region’s complex geopolitical dynamics and resource wealth have made it a focal point of conflict and insurgency.

The latest attack underscores the ongoing tensions in Balochistan and highlights the challenges faced by the Pakistani government in addressing the grievances of the Baloch people while maintaining security in the region. As the situation unfolds, the safety of the hostages remains a critical concern, with the BLA’s threats adding to the urgency of resolving the crisis.