Over 100 Passengers Rescued from Pakistan Train Attack as Security Forces Intervene

Pakistan Train Attack: At least 16 terrorists were killed, and 104 passengers were rescued by security forces after Baloch militants hijacked a passenger train in a tunnel in Pakistan’s restive Balochistan province on Tuesday, security officials reported.

The Jaffar Express, carrying approximately 400 passengers in nine bogies, was en route from Quetta to Peshawar when it was intercepted by armed militants near the mountainous terrain of Gudalar and Piru Kunri in the afternoon. The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist militant group, later claimed responsibility for the attack.

"The affected train is still on the spot and the armed men are holding passengers," senior district police officer Rana Dilawar said.

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"Security forces launched a massive operation," he said, adding that helicopters and special forces had been deployed.

The train was trapped in a tunnel and the driver was killed after sustaining serious injuries, local authorities, police and railway officials said.

The Baloch Liberation Army, a separatist militant group, said it blew up the tracks and "swiftly took control of the train". The group said it would execute 10 people in response to the ongoing military operation.

The group "warned of severe consequences" if an attempt is made to rescue the hostages.

The incident happened around 1:00 pm (0800 GMT) in rural Sibi district, near to a city station where the train had been due to stop.

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The train had left Quetta for Peshawar, in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa -- a more than 30-hour journey -- at around 9:00 am.

A senior police official from the area bordering Sibi, who asked not to be named because he was not authorised to speak to the media, said that "the train remains stuck just before a tunnel surrounded by mountains".

An emergency has been imposed at hospitals in Sibi, according to the government official.

A passenger named Allahditta recalled the situation in Jaffar Express at the time of hijack told AFP, “People began hiding under the seats in panic. The militants separated the men from the women.”

militant allowed him and his family to go as he was a heart patient.A passenger named Allahditta recalled the situation in Jaffar Express at the time of hijack told AFP, “People began hiding under the seats in panic. The militants separated the men from the women.”

The militant allowed him and his family to go as he was a heart patient.

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