Finance
Separatist militants in Pakistan’s Balochistan province ambushed a Peshawar-bound train on Tuesday, taking over 450 passengers hostage, including women and children. It later released civilian hostages and abducted 182 persons, including military personnel.
In a statement, the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a violent separatist group responsible for multiple deadly attacks, claimed responsibility for the hostage crisis and stated that they had seized captives from the train, including security personnel. The strike killed at least 20 military personnel, according to reports.
“The Baloch Liberation Army has carried out a meticulously planned operation in Mashkaf, Dhadar, Bolan, where our freedom fighters have blown up the railway track, forcing the Jaffar Express to come to a halt. The fighters swiftly took control of the train, holding all passengers hostage,” it said.
According to police and railway officials, a train driver was apparently hurt during the firing on Tuesday. The train was on its route to Peshawar from Quetta when it was shot on. Rescue teams and security forces have arrived at the scene, and an operation is underway to apprehend the extremists.
However, the BLA claimed to have “completely repelled” a ground assault by the Pakistani Army, forcing troops to retreat and capturing 100 security personnel. The BLA issued a final warning, threatening to execute all captives if the military did not stop airstrikes.
Source: N18
