Armed militants attacked and hijacked a passenger train in Pakistan's Balochistan province, killing three people and taking over 450 passengers hostage. Pakistani security forces launched an operation, rescuing more than 150 people while killing 27 militants, according to AFP.
Heavy gunfire continued overnight as security forces worked to clear the area. At least 20 soldiers were also killed in the exchange of heavy ambush.
"Security forces have safely rescued 155 passengers. 27 terrorists have been eliminated," a security source said, adding the operation was still "ongoing".
How did the attack unfold?
The attackers, identified as members of the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), blew up the railway track, forcing the train to stop in a remote area. They then boarded the train and took control, separating men from women.
"People began hiding under the seats in panic. The militants separated the men from the women. They allowed me and my family to go because I told them I'm a heart patient," said Allahditta, a 49-year-old passenger.
Some passengers were released and walked for hours to reach safety. A woman who was freed said, "I was on the train with my father and brother when militants took us hostage. They let me go, but they are still there."
Casualties and rescue efforts
The train driver, a police officer, and a soldier were killed in the attack. Security forces continued operations overnight, with reports of heavy gunfire. "The clearance operation is ongoing," security sources confirmed.
Who is responsible?
The BLA claimed responsibility for the attack, continuing its insurgency against the Pakistani state. The group has escalated violence in Balochistan, targeting civilians and security forces.
In recent months, it has carried out deadly attacks, including a bombing at Quetta’s railway station that killed 26 people.
48 hour ultimatum: BLA threatens to execute hostages amid military strikes
Meanwhile, the BLA has threatened to execute ten Pakistani hostages in response to drone strikes and artillery shelling by Pakistani forces during an ongoing hostage crisis in Balochistan’s Bolan district, according to The Balochistan Post.
In a statement to the media, BLA spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch accused the Pakistani military of “irresponsible and reckless aggression,” claiming that drone strikes and artillery fire targeted BLA positions near the hijacked Jaffar Express train.
'Full-scale operation'
Pakistan security forces were preparing to launch a "full-scale operation" on Wednesday to rescue train passengers taken hostage by militants, including suicide bombers, officials said.
"A full-scale operation is planned for the morning to free the train hostages and others," a security official in the area told AFP, citing "challenges posed by darkness" during the night.
"We are taking precautions to prevent any actions that could endanger civilian hostages," the official added.
Security sources reported that "terrorists had placed suicide bombers in close proximity to the hostages", further complicating rescue efforts.
Why is Balochistan a conflict zone?
Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest but poorest province, has long been home to separatist movements.
Militants claim that the region’s natural resources are exploited by outsiders, leaving little benefit for locals. Violence has intensified since the Taliban regained control in Afghanistan, with Pakistan accusing Kabul of harboring militants—an allegation the Taliban denies.
In 2013, Balochistan saw highest militant violence in nearly a decade.