New Delhi: Armed militants in the Balochistan region of Pakistan have launched an assault on a train carrying over 400 passengers, taking several individuals hostage, as reported by military sources to the Media on Tuesday.
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) opened fire on the Jaffar Express Train while it was route from Quetta to Peshawar. The separatist group claimed responsibility for bombing the railway track prior to boarding the train in the remote Sibi district, asserting that the train was now under their control.
As of Wednesday morning, local media indicated that at least 16 rebels had been killed and 104 passengers rescued. Among those rescued, 17 individuals sustained injuries and have been admitted to hospitals for medical care. The rebels have issued a threat to execute hostages if the authorities do not release Baloch political prisoners within a 48-hour timeframe, according to local reports.
The rescue operation is still in progress. Reports of “intense firing” at the train were confirmed by a spokesman for the Balochistan government to the local newspaper Dawn on Tuesday.
A senior police official stated that the train “remains stuck just before a tunnel surrounded by mountains,” as reported by the AFP news agency. A senior army official confirmed to the media that over 100 army personnel were aboard the train traveling from Quetta.
The Pakistani government, along with several Western nations, including the UK and the US, has classified the BLA as a terrorist organization. The group has been engaged in a prolonged insurgency aimed at achieving independence and has conducted numerous lethal attacks, frequently targeting police stations, railway lines, and highways.
On Tuesday, the BLA warned of “severe consequences” should there be any attempts to rescue the hostages. “I cannot adequately express how we managed to escape. It was horrifying,” recounted Muhammad Bilal, one of the freed hostages, to the AFP news agency.
Another passenger, Allahditta, mentioned that he was released due to his heart condition. The 49-year-old recalled how passengers “began hiding under the seats in fear” when the assailants stormed the train.
A railway official in Quetta previously informed the BBC that a group of 80 individuals, consisting of 11 children, 26 women, and 43 men, successfully disembarked from the train and made their way to the nearest railway station, Panir.
The official indicated that the group comprised residents of the Balochistan province. One individual, whose brother-in-law remained on the train, recounted the distressing wait he experienced. He mentioned attempting to drive to the location, but found that many roads were inaccessible.
In the meantime, worried families of the passengers were seeking updates about their relatives at the Quetta railway station counter. The son of a passenger, Muhammad Ashraf, who departed from Quetta to Lahore on Tuesday morning, expressed to BBC Urdu that he had been unable to reach his father.
Another family member conveyed his deep concern for his cousin and her young child, who were route from Quetta to Multan to collect a family member. “No one is providing me with information regarding their situation or safety,” Imran Khan told Reuters news agency.
Officials have stated that they have not yet established communication with anyone aboard the train. According to officials, the region lacks internet and mobile network coverage. Balochistan is the largest province in Pakistan and is abundant in natural resources; however, it remains the least developed.
The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) is a rebel organization seeking greater autonomy for the Balochistan region in Pakistan. It’s known for carrying out attacks and engaging in armed conflict against Pakistani security forces and infrastructure. The group demands more control over the region’s resources and a greater say in local governance.
