Pakistan Military Ends Deadly Train Hijacking, Rescuing Over 300 Hostages
Pakistan’s military has ended a deadly train hijacking by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) in Balochistan, rescuing nearly 350 hostages after a violent standoff. The militants, armed with rocket launchers and automatic weapons, attacked the Jaffar Express on Tuesday, taking control of the train and killing at least 27 hostages. Security forces launched a major operation, killing all 33 attackers.
Survivors described horrifying scenes as the gunmen stormed the train, separating passengers by ethnicity and targeting security personnel. “They took soldiers out and executed them,” said Arslan Yousaf, a passenger. Others, like train driver Amjad, survived by hiding for hours. Some hostages fled, walking miles through rough terrain before reaching safety. The BLA had demanded the release of political prisoners but began executing hostages before the deadline expired.
The attack highlights worsening security in Balochistan, a region plagued by insurgency and attacks on Chinese infrastructure projects. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the assault, vowing to eliminate terrorism. Experts warn that Baloch separatist groups are becoming more sophisticated, raising concerns about future attacks.
