Pakistan Jaffar Express Train Hijacked, Rebel Group Claims 100 Hostages
In Pakistan’s Balochistan province, separatist militants from the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) attacked a train, wounding the driver and rebel group claims 100 hostages including security guards, hostage.
Balochistan: On Tuesday, separatist terrorists hijacked a passenger train in Pakistan’s restive Balochistan province, transporting approximately 500 people. The militants, who are members of the rebel group Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), stated they had kidnapped over 100 passengers and would commence executions if a military operation was begun in response to their actions.
According to local media, government officials confirmed that the Peshawar-bound Jaffar Express was targeted shortly after departing from Quetta in Balochistan, and that efforts were on to reach those on board.
In a statement, the militants claimed to have seized control of the train after it derailed following an intensive shoot-out in a remote region. The insurgents stated that six military servicemen were killed in the attack. Baloch officials and railways have yet to confirm the casualties and the status of the hostages.
“Baloch Liberation Army commanders have completely repulsed the ground operation of the occupying army after capturing the Jaffar Express. After fierce clashes, Pakistani ground troops were forced to retreat. However, the bombing by Pakistani helicopters and drones is still ongoing.”
Pakistan Jaffar Express Train Hijacked
The Jaffar Express was travelling from Quetta in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province to Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa when it came under fire, railway officials told news agency Reuters.
The militant separatist organization known as the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), which aspires to regional autonomy, asserted that the hostages they captured are members of Pakistani security forces and military personnel.
“Amongst the hostages are active-duty personnel from the Pakistani military, police, Anti-Terrorism Force (ATF), and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI)–all of whom were travelling to Punjab on leave,” the statement said.
The BLA warned, “if the occupying forces attempt any military operation, the consequences will be severe. All hundreds of hostages will be executed, and the responsibility for this bloodshed will lie solely with the occupying forces”.
“All institutions have been mobilized to deal with the situation, and the provincial government has imposed emergency measures,” stated government spokesperson Shahid Rind.
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