A train carrying around 440 passengers was attacked in Pakistan, leading to a tense standoff that lasted more than 30 hours. The assault took place near a mountain tunnel, where militants blew up a section of the tracks and opened fire on the train. Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes as fear gripped those on board.
Among the passengers were at least 100 members of the security forces. Reports suggest that some militants may have left the train with an unknown number of hostages, taking them into the nearby mountains. As of now, it remains unclear how many passengers are unaccounted for.
The attack is linked to the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a group that has been designated as a terrorist organization by Pakistani authorities and several Western countries, including the UK and the US. The BLA seeks greater autonomy or independence for Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province, claiming that the central government exploits its rich resources while neglecting the region.
During the attack, the militants issued a threat to kill hostages if the government did not release Baloch political prisoners within 48 hours. The military responded by deploying helicopters and hundreds of troops to rescue the hostages. By Wednesday morning, more than 100 passengers had been freed.
Communication with those on the train was difficult due to the remote location, which lacks internet and mobile coverage. Some passengers who managed to escape walked nearly four hours to reach the nearest railway station. One passenger, Muhammad Ashraf, shared his experience of the harrowing journey from Quetta to Lahore, expressing the exhaustion felt by families traveling with children.
The military has vowed to bring those responsible for the attack to justice, and officials continue to work to locate any remaining hostages. Information about the incident and the rescue operation has been tightly controlled, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the situation.