Nearly 350 hostages have been freed after Pakistan’s military ended a deadly standoff with armed militants who hijacked a train in Balochistan, officials said Wednesday. The attack, which began on Tuesday, resulted in dozens of deaths.
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist group, claimed responsibility. Officials reported that 27 hostages and one soldier were killed, while at least 35 militants died during the rescue operation.
The incident occurred when gunmen opened fire on the Jaffer Express as it traveled from Quetta to Peshawar. Security sources said the attackers used women and children as shields. Survivors described the attack as chaotic, with some fleeing on foot for safety.
Balochistan has long faced separatist violence, with insurgents demanding greater autonomy. The province is of strategic importance due to its mineral resources and the China-backed Gwadar port project.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to combating militancy. Experts warn that escalating violence in the region requires urgent security reforms.
