After at least 155 passengers aboard the Peshawar-bound Jaffar Express were rescued from Baloch separatists in Balochistan, the freed survivors have recounted the horrific ordeal.
Muhammad Bilal who spoke to AFP said he cannot find the words to describe his escape from captivity. "It was terrifying," said Bilal who was with his mother when the attack occurred.
The attack began with a huge explosion and it was followed by one-hour-long firing.
At least three died in the initial explosion. "It was a scene that can never be forgotten," BBC Urdu quoted Mushtaq, a passenger on the third coach, as saying.
Another passenger, Ishaq Noor, accompanied by his wife and children said the explosion was so strong that the windows of the train shook and one his kids fell. He said when the firing started, he and his wife covered their two children to protect them from bullets.
"During this time, we were not even breathing, not knowing what would happen," he added.
Once the firing stopped, the Baloch rebels entered the coaches with three each guarding the doors. They then began checking the identity cards of the passengers and took away some of them, including security personnel and Punjabis.
Later in the evening, the rebels released Baloch people as well as women, children and the elderly. Ishaq said though they did not let him go initially, he was released after he proved that he was from Balochistan's Turbat.
Allahditta, 49, one of the travellers, told AFP that people hid under seats when the train was hijacked. "They separated men from women," he said, adding that he was allowed to go after he told them that he was a heart patient.
Reports suggest that there are suicide bombers aboard the train. At least 27 terrorists have been killed.