Photos: Militants hijack passenger train in Pakistan, hostage rescue underway

A deadly standoff is unfolding in Pakistan’s restive Balochistan province after armed militants hijacked a passenger train carrying over 400 people.

Security forces are engaged in an intense battle to free the hostages, with reports indicating that the separatist Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) is behind the attack.

The insurgents ambushed the train in a remote mountainous area on Tuesday, detonating explosives on the railway tracks, forcing it to halt inside a tunnel in the Bolan district. Armed men, some reportedly wearing suicide vests, swiftly surrounded the coaches, taking hundreds of passengers hostage.

Authorities have confirmed that at least 27 militants have been killed in the ongoing rescue operation, with helicopters providing air support. So far, 155 hostages have been freed, including women and children, but an undisclosed number remain in captivity.

Militants demand release of prisoners

The BLA has claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that they are willing to negotiate the release of the hostages if the government frees imprisoned militants and political activists. However, Pakistan’s government has historically refused such demands.

Security sources revealed that insurgents targeted specific passengers, searching for military personnel among the travelers. At least 11 people, including paramilitary troops, have reportedly been killed. The train’s driver, who sustained serious injuries, later succumbed to his wounds.

In a video circulated by the militants on Telegram, the train can be seen traveling through a barren landscape before an explosion tears up the tracks. The footage then shows passengers being pulled off the halted train, with militants stationed on nearby hills observing the attack. The authenticity of the video has not been independently verified, according to AP. 

Ongoing military response

Hundreds of Pakistani troops are involved in the rescue operation, deploying helicopters and ground forces to secure the region. However, the presence of suicide bombers among the hostages has made the operation significantly more challenging. Officials have yet to confirm the exact number of hostages still in captivity, though the BLA claims it is holding 214 people.

The group has issued a stark ultimatum, warning that hostages will be executed unless authorities release Baloch political prisoners within 48 hours. One militant was heard in a recorded message urging Baloch citizens to support their fight against the Pakistani state.

A longstanding insurgency

Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest yet least populated province, has long been a battleground for separatist movements seeking greater autonomy and control over the region’s vast natural resources. The BLA has frequently targeted security forces, infrastructure, and Chinese nationals involved in Beijing’s multibillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative projects in Pakistan.

Tensions between Pakistan and Iran have also complicated regional security. Both governments have accused each other of harboring insurgents, leading to cross-border airstrikes earlier this year. While diplomatic efforts deescalated those clashes, the latest hostage crisis underscores the persistent volatility in the region.

Global condemnation, China’s response

China, which has significant economic stakes in Balochistan, has condemned the attack, with its foreign ministry pledging support for Pakistan’s counterterrorism efforts. The train attack marks an escalation in the BLA’s tactics, as it is the first time the group has hijacked a train, despite previous assaults on railway infrastructure.

Uncertain fate of hostages

As military operations continue, the fate of the remaining hostages remains uncertain. Rescued passengers have been transported to hospitals in Mach district and the provincial capital, Quetta. Security officials are still determining the full extent of casualties and damages.