In Pakistan, a military faction has seized a train carrying hundreds of passengers, threatening to detonate it unless their demands are fulfilled.
The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) launched an attack on a passenger train within a tunnel on March 11, holding around 400 passengers, of which 200 have reportedly been released according to Pakistani officials.
Authorities detailed how the assailants destroyed the railway track in the turbulent southwestern region of Balochistan and engaged in gunfire with security guards stationed on the train.
The train, which was heading from Quetta, the provincial capital, to the northern city of Peshawar, was targeted in Bolan district. This incident was described by government spokesman Shahid Rind as “an act of terrorism.”
According to both government and railway officials, the hijacking has resulted in at least 10 fatalities.
The separatist Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has taken responsibility for the assault, asserting that they have captured over 100 hostages, including security personnel aboard the train.
Officials from Pakistan Railways have stated that the Jafar Express was transporting approximately 500 individuals, including women and children.
Jeeyand Baloch, who speaks for the BLA, addressed the Pakistani government with a statement: “BLA has maintained complete control of the train and all hostages for the past eight hours.”
“Under the rules of war, these 214 hostages are considered prisoners of war and BLA is prepared for a prisoner exchange. The occupying state of Pakistan is given 48 hours to immediately and unconditionally release Baloch political prisoners, forcibly disappeared persons and national resistance activists.
“If our demands are not met within the stipulated period or if the occupying state attempts any military action during this time all prisoners of war will be neutralized and the train will be completely destroyed. The Pakistani army will bear full responsibility for the consequences.”
Three security officials reported that the BLA, which Pakistan and the United States have labeled as a terrorist group, ambushed the train in a tunnel and utilized women and children as human shields. They also mentioned that forces have begun an operation to free the hostages.
Trains traversing Balochistan usually carry security personnel. In the past, separatists have executed lethal attacks on trains within this area.
In a previous incident in November, a separatist faction executed a suicide bombing at a Quetta railway station, resulting in 26 deaths.
Balochistan, rich in oil and minerals, is Pakistan’s largest yet least populated province. It serves as the hub for the ethnic Baloch minority, who claim they endure discrimination and exploitation by the central government.