A train hijacking in Pakistan’s southwestern mountains has left at least 31 people dead, including soldiers, staff, and civilians. The attack was carried out by the separatist Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) on Tuesday.
The BLA claimed responsibility for the attack, which involved taking over the Jaffar Express train and holding passengers hostage in a day-long standoff. However, Pakistan’s army said that they killed 33 of the insurgents and rescued 354 hostages, bringing the siege to an end.
In total, 23 soldiers, three railway employees, and five passengers lost their lives during the attack and rescue mission. The BLA released a statement saying that all 214 hostages were executed, but there is no evidence to support this claim.
Pakistan’s army has accused India and Afghanistan of backing the BLA, which has denied these allegations. The separatist group has been fighting for decades to win independence for the mineral-rich province, where major China-led projects are being developed.
The situation remains tense, with the BLA stating that “this battle is not over yet but has intensified.”
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/death-toll-pakistans-train-hijacking-rises-31-army-says-2025-03-14