Baloch militants seize train in deadly Pakistan hostage crisis
Fighters from the Balochistan Liberation Army have hijacked a train in Pakistan. They claim to have killed 50 hostages. The government has confirmed casualties but has not provided an exact number.
Dramatic hostage situation
The government in Islamabad stated that the operation to rescue the hostages had reached a critical stage. The efforts were significantly complicated by the possibility that some attackers might be suicide bombers. It was also noted that hostages, including women and children, were being used as human shields.
The BLA, one of the largest Baloch separatist groups, is demanding the release of all political prisoners and activists from this ethnic community within 48 hours. Otherwise, they have threatened to kill more hostages.
As the train traveling from Quetta to Peshawar entered a tunnel, it came under attack. The assailants fired upon the train and set off explosives, damaging the tracks and bringing the train to a halt. According to Pakistani authorities, security forces and military personnel arrived at the scene, leading to an exchange of gunfire in which around 30 attackers were reportedly killed.
The Pakistani authorities managed to free about 190 of the 425 passengers. Among the hostages were individuals from various ethnic communities and security service officers.
Balochistan, the poorest province of Pakistan, has been a site of separatist struggles for years. The Baloch people feel marginalized in public life and aim to separate the region from Pakistan. This conflict has persisted for several decades, and the region's mineral wealth only adds to the tensions.
