As militants continue to hold hundreds of hostages following the hijacking of a passenger train in Pakistan's Balochistan province, security forces are currently conducting a rescue operation to save the captives. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist militant group, has claimed responsibility for hijacking the Jaffar Express while it was en route to Peshawar from Quetta on Tuesday.
As of Tuesday night, Pakistani media reports said that 104 hostages, including 26 women and 11 children, had been rescued. The state-run Radio Pakistan also said that 16 terrorists were killed amid the ongoing security operation.
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The BLA, which seeks independence for the Balochistan province, announced that it was currently holding 214 hostages and had killed at least 30 security personnel, figures yet to be confirmed by Pakistani authorities.
The militant group has also threatened to start executing them, reports Reuters news agency.
On Tuesday, militants opened fire on the Jaffar Express, carrying 425 passengers in nine bogies, while it was passing through a tunnel near the mountainous terrain of Gudalar and Piru Kunri.
Before hijacking the train, the insurgents blew up the railway track, forcing it to a halt in the remote area.
Rana Dilawar, a senior police official, said the "train is still on the spot and the armed men are holding passengers" as of Wednesday morning. He added that helicopters and additional forces have been deployed with the security operation.
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On its part, the Baloch Liberation Army has demanded the release of political prisoners, activists and missing persons allegedly kidnapped by the military within 48 hours. It has threatened to execute hostages, including Army personnel, and "completely destroy" the train if their demand was not fulfilled within the specified deadline.
A security source told Reuters news agency that of the 425 passengers on board the Jaffar Express, 80 were military personnel. Another source added that 17 of the rescued 104 passengers were taken to hospital for treatment as they were injured.
(With Reuters and PTI inputs)
Published By:
Karishma Saurabh Kalita
Published On:
Mar 12, 2025