In a deadly attack on a passenger train carrying 440 people in southwestern Pakistan, insurgents killed 21 hostages before security forces eliminated all 33 assailants and rescued the remaining passengers, the military confirmed Wednesday.
Military spokesperson Lt.-Gen. Ahmad Sharif stated that three soldiers guarding the track were also killed when the assault began Tuesday in Balochistan province. Earlier, officials reported 190 passengers had been rescued, with conflicting accounts initially suggesting 50 insurgents had been killed.
Balochistan’s Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti informed the provincial assembly that all militants involved were neutralized. The separatist Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attack, which occurred in a remote tunnel. Spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch stated that the group was prepared to release hostages if authorities freed jailed militants.
The BLA has a history of targeting Pakistani security forces and civilians, including Chinese nationals working on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning reaffirmed Beijing’s support for Pakistan’s counterterrorism efforts.
The attack reignited criticism against Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who had previously dismissed the BLA as a non-threat. The Jafer Express, traveling from Quetta to Peshawar, was forced to halt when militants detonated explosives on the tracks, partially trapping the train inside a tunnel.
Balochistan, rich in oil and minerals, has long been a hotbed of insurgency, with separatists demanding greater autonomy and a larger share of the region’s resources. The unrest has strained Pakistan-Iran relations, with both nations accusing each other of harboring militant groups.
Security experts believe the BLA’s increasing focus on civilians could erode its local support base. Meanwhile, rescued passengers, including women and children, were being transported to their hometowns, with injured individuals receiving medical treatment in Quetta.
Source: Swifteradio.com
