Armed insurgents targeting a passenger train in Balochistan have taken hostages and injured several, with military forces deployed for their rescue. The ongoing crisis highlights the area's persistent instability and the separatist group's threats against security interventions.
Hostage Crisis in Balochistan: Armed Attack on Train Leaves Passengers in Peril
Hostage Crisis in Balochistan: Armed Attack on Train Leaves Passengers in Peril
Militants from the Baloch Liberation Army have seized hostages from the Jaffar Express Train in Pakistan's Balochistan region, prompting a significant military response.
Armed militants in Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province have launched a brazen assault on a passenger train, seizing hostages and injuring several travelers. The incident occurred on the Jaffar Express Train, which was en route from Quetta to Peshawar when attackers from the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) targeted it, according to military sources.
The BLA claimed responsibility for bombing the train tracks before storming on board in the isolated Sibi district. Reports indicate that at least three individuals, including the train driver, sustained injuries during the attack. Pakistani security forces, including military helicopters, have been dispatched in an effort to safely rescue the hostages.
Witness accounts describe "heavy gunfire" at the scene, as officials reveal the train is currently immobilized near a mountainous tunnel. A senior official confirmed that over 100 army personnel were aboard the train, which was carrying between 400 to 450 passengers.
The Baloch Liberation Army warned of "serious consequences" if attempts are made to rescue the hostages, as it continues its long-standing insurgency that seeks independence for the Baloch people, often targeting various infrastructures.
While a limited number of passengers, around 80 including women and children, have successfully left the train and made their way to safety, the fate of many others remains uncertain. Families of passengers anxiously await updates, with reports indicating that the region lacks reliable mobile and internet connectivity.
The attack underscores the ongoing conflict in Balochistan, a region rich in resources but marred by underdevelopment and violence. While the BLA is recognized as a terrorist entity by the Pakistani government and several Western nations, the situation continues to escalate, leaving families desperate for the safety of their loved ones.
