Pakistan army says 300 hostages freed from train

The Pakistani military announced that they successfully rescued over 300 hostages from a passenger train hijacked by militants in Balochistan province on Tuesday. A military spokesperson stated that 33 militants were killed during the rescue operation, effectively neutralizing the threat.

According to the military spokesperson, the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) killed 21 civilian hostages and 4 military personnel before the rescue operation commenced. The BBC has not yet verified these figures, and further investigation is warranted. Currently, the military is still conducting searches in the area to eliminate any potential threats and ensure complete safety.

The military spokesperson stated that there were approximately 440 passengers on the train at the time of the incident. Security officials indicated that some militants may have left the train, taking an unknown number of passengers with them into the surrounding mountains. The military is actively searching for passengers who fled during the attack, but the exact number of missing passengers remains unclear, requiring further investigation.

Several Western countries, including the UK and the US, as well as Pakistani authorities, have designated the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) as a terrorist organization. The BLA is one of the insurgent groups demanding greater autonomy or independence for Balochistan province, Pakistan's largest province. They accuse Islamabad of exploiting the province's rich mineral resources while neglecting its development, fueling their insurgency. In the past, they have attacked military posts, railway stations, and trains, but this is their first instance of hijacking a train.

Officials revealed that at least 100 passengers on the train were members of the security forces, which may have been a target. According to local reports, the militants threatened to kill the hostages if authorities did not release Baloch political prisoners within 48 hours, escalating the urgency of the situation. During the attack, the militants blew up a section of the railway track and opened fire on the train near a mountain tunnel. Passenger Ishaq Noor described a "doomsday-like scene" on the train to the BBC, stating, "We held our breath during the shooting and didn't know what would happen next," highlighting the passengers' fear and uncertainty.

Due to the lack of internet or mobile network coverage in the remote area, officials faced difficulties in contacting passengers during the attack, hindering communication and coordination. Some passengers who managed to disembark later on Tuesday walked for nearly four hours to reach the next train station, demonstrating their resilience and determination. One of the passengers, Muhammad Ashraf, stated that he was traveling from Quetta to Lahore to visit his family, adding, "We reached the station with great difficulty because we were tired, and there were children and women with us," emphasizing the challenges faced by vulnerable passengers.

The military deployed helicopters and hundreds of soldiers to rescue the hostages, showcasing their commitment to resolving the crisis. As of Wednesday morning, over 100 passengers had been rescued. The hijacking lasted for more than 30 hours, creating a prolonged period of uncertainty and fear. Information regarding the attack and subsequent rescue operation has been tightly controlled, indicating the sensitivity of the situation. A military spokesperson stated that all those involved in the attack will be brought to justice, underscoring the military's resolve to hold the perpetrators accountable.