A passenger train in Pakistan carrying around 500 people was hijacked by insurgents in the country’s restive Balochistan province on Tuesday. The Balochistan Liberation Army that claimed the attack — insurgents opened fire on the jaffar Express — said that it had taken 182 hostages, adding that 20 Pakistani military personnel had been killed. The separatist group also threatened to execute all hostages if security forces didn’t retreat.
The train with over 400 passengers aboard was traveling from Quetta in Balochistan province to Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa when it came under attack, Reuters reported quoting railway authorities.
Rescue teams and security forces arrived at the scene, launching an operation to track down the assailants. Railway officials confirmed that an emergency relief train had been dispatched for assistance.
“The Baloch Liberation Army has carried out a strategic operation in Mashkaf, Dhadar, Bolan, seizing control of the Jaffar Express by derailing it. During the resistance, six military personnel were killed, while over 100 passengers have been taken into BLA custody,” BLA said in a statement.
Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind said that emergency measures have been enforced, and all institutions have been mobilized to address the situation.
“There are reports of intense firing at a Jaffar Express [train], which was heading from Quetta to Peshawar, between Pehro Kunri and Gadalar,” Rind said in statement, as reported by Dawn.
