Pakistan’s military has successfully rescued more than 300 hostages from a passenger train hijacked by militants in Balochistan on Tuesday. According to the military’s spokesperson, the operation resulted in the deaths of 33 insurgents.
Prior to the rescue mission, militants from the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) executed 21 civilian hostages and four military personnel, the spokesperson confirmed. However, these figures have not been independently verified.
The military has continued its search operation in the region to eliminate any remaining threats.
The ill-fated train was carrying around 440 passengers when it came under attack. Security sources indicate that some militants may have abandoned the train, taking an unknown number of passengers into the nearby mountainous terrain. Authorities are working to locate and rescue those who fled during the attack. However, the exact number of missing individuals remains unclear.
The BLA, which has been designated a terrorist organization by Pakistan and multiple Western nations, including the US and UK, has a long history of attacks on military installations and transportation infrastructure. The group demands greater autonomy for Balochistan, accusing the central government of exploiting its natural resources while neglecting its development.
During the hostage crisis, militants reportedly threatened to execute captives unless authorities released Baloch political prisoners within 48 hours. They also detonated explosives on the railway tracks and opened fire on the train near a mountain tunnel, causing chaos and fear among passengers.
Eyewitnesses described the ordeal as terrifying, with one passenger, Ishaq Noor, telling the BBC: "We held our breath as gunfire erupted, unsure if we would survive."
The lack of mobile and internet connectivity in the remote area hindered communication with the trapped passengers. Some managed to escape late Tuesday evening, walking for hours to the nearest railway station.
Hundreds of troops and helicopters were deployed to conduct the high-stakes rescue operation. By Wednesday morning, more than 100 passengers had been freed, and the operation continued for over 30 hours.
The Pakistani military has vowed to bring those responsible for the attack to justice, ensuring that such an incident does not recur.
Source: BBC
BDST: 1008 HRS, MAR 13, 2025
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