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Bloody Conflict in Balochistan.. Pakistani Security Forces Rescue 155 Passengers from Hijacked Train
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The confrontation between the Pakistani government and separatists represents an extension of a decades-long conflict over control of the region's resources and fair distribution of wealth
Pakistani forces have recovered at least 155 passengers out of more than 450 who were aboard a train attacked Tuesday by Baloch separatists in the southwest of the country, according to security sources on Wednesday, noting that 27 attackers have been killed so far.
Pakistani forces have been working for more than 20 hours to free the hostages and regain control of the train and the entire area, where the Balochistan Liberation Army, the main separatist group in this oil and mineral-rich province despite being the poorest in the country, detonated the railway track to force the "Jaffar Express" train to stop.
The militants had earlier threatened to begin executing hostages if military operations against them continued, demanding the release of Baloch political prisoners, activists, and missing persons within 48 hours.
Police officer Rana Dilawar reported: "The targeted train remains at the site and militants are still holding passengers. Security forces have launched a large-scale operation," using helicopters and special forces to control the deteriorating situation.
Local authorities, police, and railway officials indicated that the train was surrounded in a tunnel and that the driver died after sustaining serious injuries during the sudden attack.
The Balochistan Liberation Army stated that it had bombed the railway line and "quickly took control of the train," announcing that it would execute 10 people in response to the ongoing military operation.
The Balochistan Liberation Army demanded the release within 48 hours of political prisoners, activists, and missing Baloch people whom they claimed the Pakistani army had "kidnapped," affirming their readiness "to exchange detainees," but threatening that "if our demands are not met within the specified period or if the occupying state attempts any military action during this period, all prisoners of war will be neutralized and the entire train will be destroyed."
The group, which is fighting for the independence of Balochistan province bordering Afghanistan and Iran, announced that among the hostages were Pakistani army personnel and security officials who were heading for vacation.
Dilawar revealed that some militants had taken a group of about 35 hostages to the mountains, while others still control the train. An explosion was heard near the tunnel followed by an exchange of gunfire with militants in a mountainous area.
A security source who requested anonymity said that a large number of people were killed in the attack, adding that 80 military personnel were among the passengers on the targeted train.
Both sources confirmed that "the operation will continue until the last terrorist is eliminated," while the Balochistan Liberation Army denied suffering any casualties, claiming it had killed 30 soldiers and shot down a drone, which has not been confirmed by Pakistani authorities.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif condemned the attack, noting that security officials are "confronting" the militants who targeted the Jaffar Express fast train during its journey from Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province, to Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
