Pakistan train: Passengers describe 'doomsday scenes' after hijack

In Pakistan's Balochistan province, rescued passengers from a train hijacked by militants recounted "apocalyptic scenes." The incident occurred on the Jafar Express, causing immense panic and anxiety among the passengers. The scale of the attack has shocked the nation and raised concerns about security.

Passenger Ishaq Noor told the BBC, "We were holding our breath during the shooting, not knowing what would happen next." He was one of over 400 passengers aboard the train traveling from Quetta to Peshawar. The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) attacked and took some passengers hostage, with the train driver among those injured. The BLA's actions have been widely condemned as a blatant act of terrorism.

Military sources claim that 155 passengers have been rescued and 27 militants killed, but these figures have not been independently verified. The rescue operation is ongoing, with security forces deploying hundreds of soldiers, helicopters, and special forces personnel to free the remaining passengers. The Balochistan Liberation Army has warned of "serious consequences" if there are attempts to rescue the hostages. The situation remains tense as authorities work to secure the area.

According to officials, at least 100 security force members were on the train. It is unclear how many passengers are still being held hostage, and a dozen of the rescued passengers have been taken to hospitals for treatment. Reports citing security officials suggest that some militants may have left the train, taking some passengers into the surrounding mountains. The search for these individuals is a top priority for the security forces.

BBC reporters witnessed dozens of wooden coffins being loaded at Quetta railway station on Wednesday. A railway official stated that the coffins were empty and were being transported to locations where casualties might occur. Meanwhile, relatives of train driver Amjad Yasin were anxiously awaiting news, after learning that Yasin had been injured. His brother Amir told the BBC that they had been feeling very nervous for the past few weeks, anticipating that something might happen. The community is rallying around the affected families during this difficult time.

The Balochistan Liberation Army has waged a decades-long insurgency for independence, carrying out numerous deadly attacks, often targeting police stations, railway lines, and highways. Pakistani military and security forces have reportedly disappeared thousands of people since the early 2000s in counter-insurgency operations in the impoverished Balochistan province. Security forces have been accused of crimes including torture and extrajudicial killings, allegations they deny. The ongoing conflict has created a climate of fear and instability in the region.

Pakistani authorities and several Western countries, including the UK and the US, have designated the group as a terrorist organization. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan expressed "deep concern" over the train hijacking incident and urged all relevant stakeholders to reach an urgent, rights-based, people-centered consensus on the issues facing citizens in Balochistan and to find a peaceful political solution. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also "strongly condemned" the train siege and called for the immediate release of the remaining passengers. The international community is closely monitoring the situation and urging a peaceful resolution.