A passenger train carrying around 500 people was hijacked by Baloch separatist militants in Pakistan’s Balochistan province.
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), which claimed responsibility for the attack, said it had taken 214 hostages and killed at least 30 security personnel. The separatist group also warned that all hostages would be executed if Pakistani security forces did not retreat.
Sources in Islamabad told News Arena India that a rescue operation was under way and so far 80 people had been rescued. These include 43 men, 26 women, 11 children
The attack targeted the Peshawar-bound Jaffar Express, which had just departed from Quetta. The militants reportedly opened fire on the train, forcing it to stop inside a tunnel.
Local media confirmed that Pakistani authorities were trying to establish contact with the people on board, but communication remained cut off.
According to the militants, they derailed the train and gained complete control after an intense gunfight at a remote location.
The BLA’s statement claimed that the attack was part of a broader struggle for Balochistan’s independence from Pakistan. However, railway and government officials have yet to confirm the number of casualties or the status of the hostages.
Pakistani security forces launched a large-scale counter-operation at the site, including aerial bombings. However, the militants claimed to have successfully repelled the army's ground assault, forcing them to withdraw.
"Baloch Liberation Army commanders have completely pushed back the occupying army after capturing the Jaffar Express. After intense fighting, Pakistani ground troops were forced to retreat. However, their helicopters and drones continue to bomb the area," the militants said in a statement.
Railway officials reported that no communication had been established with the 450 passengers and crew on board. Initial reports indicated that multiple travelers were wounded during the attack.
The Pakistan Army quickly dispatched a relief train carrying reinforcements, medical teams, and soldiers to assist at the scene. However, reaching the site has proven challenging due to the mountainous terrain.
The BLA claimed that the majority of their hostages were members of Pakistan's military and intelligence agencies.
"Among the hostages are active-duty personnel from the Pakistani military, police, Anti-Terrorism Force (ATF), and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI)—all of whom were traveling to Punjab while on leave," the separatist group stated.
They further warned that any military operation to rescue the hostages would have severe consequences. "If Pakistani forces attempt a rescue mission, all hostages will be executed. The responsibility for this bloodshed will lie solely with the occupying forces," the group said.
The militants later claimed to have released women, children, and ethnic Baloch passengers, stating that the remaining captives were all security personnel.
The attack was reportedly carried out by the BLA’s elite Majeed Brigade, with support from the Special Tactical Operations Squad (STOS) and Fateh Squad.
Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi condemned the attack, vowing that the government would not negotiate with "beasts who fire on innocent passengers." The provincial government declared emergency measures and mobilized all relevant institutions to handle the crisis.
The attack comes shortly after multiple Baloch armed groups announced a renewed offensive against Pakistan and China. Recently, several Baloch militant factions united under the banner of the Baloch National Army, aiming to intensify their fight for an independent Balochistan.
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