A military operation in southwest Pakistan to rescue hostages from a train hijacked by a separatist group concluded with numerous fatalities. The Pakistani army reported that around 190 hostages were freed from the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), which had sabotaged a railway line and attacked the Jaffar Express.
The incident occurred as the train, carrying about 450 passengers, traveled through a mountainous tunnel in Balochistan on Tuesday. In the ensuing conflict, 33 militants and 21 hostages lost their lives as military forces launched an air and ground offensive. The challenging terrain complicated the rescue efforts.
The BLA had issued a threat to execute hostages unless their demand for the release of Baloch political prisoners and missing persons was met within 48 hours. On Wednesday, the group claimed to have killed 50 hostages due to the government's lack of negotiation.
Reports indicated that the BLA had positioned suicide bombers near some hostages, complicating rescue efforts. An official noted that the militants were using civilians as human shields.
One passenger, Yousaf Bashir, recounted the terrifying experience, describing a massive explosion and subsequent gunfire. After the attack, militants ordered passengers to disembark, warning them not to look back. Bashir and his family were among those released and had to trek through the mountains for over seven hours to reach safety.
In a statement, the BLA justified the hijacking as a response to what they termed Pakistan's colonial occupation and alleged war crimes in Balochistan. The region, bordering Iran and Afghanistan, has long been the site of a separatist insurgency against the Pakistani government, which is accused of exploitation and neglect.
The BLA's statement declared the operation a tactical move to show resistance against the Pakistani forces. The group has intensified its activities in Balochistan, being responsible for significant attacks in recent years.
Security analyst Zahid Hussain described the hijacking as unprecedented, highlighting the growing challenges for the military in Balochistan. He noted the military's struggle to control the insurgency, with militants increasingly recruiting for such attacks.