Balochistan train hijack: Militants kill 50 in hostage crisis
Fighters of the Balochistan Liberation Army hijacked a train in Pakistan. They claim to have killed 50 hostages. The government confirms the casualties but has not provided a specific number.
Dramatic hostage situation
The government in Islamabad stated that the hostage rescue operation had reached a critical stage. According to the announcement, the efforts were significantly hindered by the potential presence of suicide bombers among the attackers. It was also reported that hostages, including women and children, were being used as human shields.
The BLA, one of the largest separatist organisations of the Baloch, demanded the release of all political prisoners and activists from this ethnic group within 48 hours. Otherwise, they threatened further killings of hostages.
As the train traveling from Quetta to Peshawar entered a tunnel, it came under attack. The assailants fired upon it and set off explosives, causing damage to the tracks and bringing the train to a halt. Pakistani authorities stated that security forces and military personnel responded to the scene, leading to a shootout in which approximately 30 attackers were reportedly killed.
The Pakistani authorities managed to free about 190 of the 425 passengers. Among the hostages were representatives of various ethnic groups and security service officers.
Balochistan, Pakistan's poorest province, has been the site of separatist struggles for years. The Baloch feel marginalised in public life and aim to detach the region from Pakistan. This conflict has lasted for several decades, and the region's mineral wealth only heightens the tensions.
