Militants Claim 214 Hostages Taken After Train Seized in Pakistan
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist group in Pakistan's Balochistan province, claims to have taken 214 hostages, including military personnel, following the hijacking of a train. This incident highlights the deteriorating security situation in the country.
The group reportedly detonated explosives on the railway tracks and attacked the Jaffar Express as it passed through a tunnel in a remote, mountainous area, forcing the train to stop. The train, carrying around 400 passengers, was en route from Quetta to Peshawar when the attack occurred. Local officials reported that the train was trapped in the tunnel, and the driver was severely injured, though they did not confirm the BLA's claims about the hostages.
According to a BLA statement, they killed 30 military personnel and captured 214 military and police personnel, whom they referred to as "prisoners of war." The group stated that all civilian passengers were allowed to leave safely.
Contradicting the BLA's claims, the Balochistan government stated that no military officers were on the train. However, unofficial sources indicated that over 150 security personnel were onboard. By Tuesday evening, both the train and hostages remained under BLA control, with the group reportedly engaged in fierce clashes with Pakistani military forces. The BLA threatened to execute the hostages if military operations continued.
The militants proposed a prisoner exchange, demanding the release of Baloch political prisoners and activists within 48 hours, warning that failure to comply would result in the hostages' deaths and the train's destruction.
A railway official confirmed that communication with the train staff had not been established and that the driver was critically injured. Rescue efforts faced challenges due to the difficult terrain and poor network connectivity.
Shahid Rind, a spokesperson for the Balochistan government, stated that the scale of the incident and potential terrorist involvement were under investigation. Emergency measures have been ordered, with all relevant institutions on high alert.
Pakistan’s interior minister, Mohsin Naqvi, condemned the attack, stating that those who harm innocent passengers deserve no leniency.
Balochistan, Pakistan's largest and most impoverished province, has been plagued by violent separatist movements for decades. The region, bordering Iran and Afghanistan, has long felt marginalized by the central government and has endured a harsh military crackdown, resulting in numerous deaths and disappearances.
The BLA has gained momentum recently, as Pakistan's security situation has worsened following the Taliban's resurgence in Afghanistan. The group has been responsible for several high-profile attacks, including the killing of seven Punjabi travelers in February and a bombing at Quetta's main railway station last November that killed 26 people, including 14 soldiers.
Chinese projects in the region have also been targeted, such as a suicide bombing at Karachi airport last October that resulted in the deaths of several Chinese workers.