The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) responsible for hijacking a Peshawar-bound passenger train in Pakistan’s Balochistan province have reportedly released a video showing how they carried out the attack and took the passengers hostage.
The first visual showed the dramatic moment when they detonated an explosive on the railway tracks, forcing the Jaffar Express to come to a sudden halt. The train was carrying over 400 passengers.
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The video showed thick plumes of black smoke billowing from the train’s engine as chaos unfolded. The Times of India could not independently identify the authenticity of the video.
The train, which was traveling from Quetta to Peshawar, was then taken over by the armed insurgents, who proceeded to hold passengers hostage. The driver was injured in the attack and later succumbed to injuries.
Bolan, a rugged mountainous stretch spanning over 100 kilometers between Quetta and Sibi, is home to 17 railway tunnels where trains often slow down due to the challenging terrain. It was in this difficult landscape that militants hijacked a passenger train, triggering a tense standoff with security forces.
Meanwhile, Pakistani security forces killed at least 27 militants and rescued 155 passengers from the train as they continued to battle rebels for the second day.
Security sources said 37 passengers were injured during the rescue operation and have been sent for medical treatment, news agency PTI reported.
Security sources confirmed that in an ongoing gun battle with the militants, they managed to rescue 155 passengers, including women and children.
However, the situation remains critical as militants have reportedly deployed suicide bombers wearing explosive vests near hostages. Women and children have been taken hostage at three different locations, making the counterterrorism operation highly delicate.
Security forces continue their mission to neutralise the remaining militants while ensuring the safety of the hostages. The insurgents have now split into smaller groups, attempting to flee under the cover of darkness, but security personnel have surrounded the tunnels and are closing in on the attackers.
Meanwhile, heavy gunfire and explosions have been reported near the tunnel where the militants had seized control of the train.
In response to the crisis, Pakistan Railways has set up emergency help desks at Peshawar and Quetta railway stations, as anxious relatives seek updates on their loved ones.
The insurgents have claimed to have released women and children, but officials have disputed this. Minister of state for interior Talal Chaudhry asserted that the hostages were freed due to security forces’ intervention, not the goodwill of the militants.
