Pakistan train attacked in Balochistan, militant group claims over 100 hostages

Separatist militants in Pakistan’s Balochistan province attacked a passenger train carrying around 400 passengers on Tuesday, injuring the train driver, news agency Reuters reported. The militants issued a statement claiming that they had taken control of the train and said six military personnel were killed, while over 100 passengers have been taken hostage.

The Jaffar Express was travelling from Quetta in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province to Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa when it came under fire, railway officials told Reuters.

The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a militant separatist group seeking autonomy for the region, stated that the hostages included Pakistani military personnel and members of other security agencies.

“Amongst the hostages are active-duty personnel from the Pakistani military, police, Anti-Terrorism Force (ATF), and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI)–all of whom were travelling to Punjab on leave,” the statement said.

The militants claimed that they have released women, children, and Baloch passengers, ensuring that all remaining hostages are serving personnel of the Pakistani forces.

The Baloch officials or the railways are yet to confirm the casualties and the status of the hostages.

The provincial government has imposed emergency measures, and all institutions have been mobilised to deal with the situation, government spokesperson Shahid Rind said. The railways added that more security forces had reached the site of the incident.

The attack comes days after various Baloch resistance groups advocating for Balochistan’s independence from Pakistan announced a new intensified offensive against Pakistan and China and announced a unified outfit named the Baloch National Army.

(With inputs from Shivani Sharma)

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