Baloch militants blew up track in tunnel, opened fire on Pak train: What we know

A Peshawar-bound passenger train in Pakistan carrying around 500 people was hijacked by Baloch separatists in the country’s restive Balochistan province on Tuesday, leading to a tense standoff with the Army.

While there has been scant information from the Pakistani government, the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed to have taken over 180 passengers, including security forces, hostage aboard the Jaffar Express.

The militants have also claimed to have killed 20 Pakistani Army personnel and issued a warning that a military operation would lead to more executions. The attack was carried out by the Majeed Brigade of the BLA, which has been seeking the independence of Balochistan from Pakistan.

Baloch militants blew up the railway track on Tunnel number 8 and opened fire on the Jaffar Express after it derailed. The militants took advantage of the terrain, which is dotted with 17 tunnels, prompting trains to run at low speeds. The train driver was injured in the firing.

The Baloch militants took control of the train after exchanging fire with security personnel. Trains in Balochistan typically have security personnel on board due to concerns over attacks by separatists. The Pakistani Army has retaliated with a ground offensive and aerial bombing. However, the militants have managed to hold of the Army’s ground operation.

The militants, in a statement, claimed to have released women, children and Baloch passengers. However, military personnel are still held hostage. The Pakistani Army has also rushed a relief train with reinforcements. Meanwhile, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said the government would not make any concessions to “beasts who fire on innocent passengers”.

The Balochistan government imposed emergency measures and sent rescue teams to deal with the situation, spokesperson Shahid Rind said, without giving more details. Security forces said an explosion had been heard near the tunnel and that they were exchanging fire with the militants in a mountainous area.

The BLA is the biggest of several ethnic groups battling the government, particularly in Balochistan, for decades, asserting it unfairly exploits the region’s rich gas and mineral resources. Balochistan has seen frequent attacks against the government, army and Chinese interests in the region.

According to the railway officials, no contact has been established with the 450 passengers and staff aboard the nine-coach of the passenger train. Initial reports said multiple travellers were wounded in the attack.

The attack comes days after various Baloch resistance groups advocating for Balochistan’s independence from Pakistan announced a new intensified offensive against Pakistan and China and announced a unified outfit named the Baloch National Army.