In a harrowing incident on Tuesday, a passenger train in Pakistan’s Balochistan province was attacked, resulting in the deaths of at least six people and over 100 passengers being taken hostage. The attack occurred on the Jaffar Express as it traversed the Ab-e-Ghum area of Mach Town in the Kachhi district.
Reports indicate that six armed men opened fire on the train, causing it to derail and inciting panic among the passengers. The Pakistan-based militant group Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that they have taken over 100 passengers hostage.
“The Baloch Liberation Army has carried out a strategic operation in Mashkaf, Dhadar, Bolan, seizing control of the Jaffar Express by derailing it. During the resistance, six military personnel were killed while over 100 passengers have been taken into the BLA custody,” read a statement issued by BLA.
This attack is one of the most significant conducted by the BLA in recent times. The group’s claims of taking 100 hostages, primarily security personnel, have yet to be confirmed by the authorities. A rescue operation is currently underway to free the hostages and neutralize the attackers.
Local media reports that railway officials have activated emergency protocols, with nearby hospitals on high alert and ambulances dispatched from Sibi. Security forces have surrounded the area around the Mach mountains, known for its challenging terrain, and additional convoys have been deployed to assist in the operation. Sources suggest that explosives may have been used to damage the railway tracks before the firing began, and the train driver is among those seriously injured. The gunmen continue to fire sporadically as efforts to secure the passengers and free the hostages persist.
