Nearly 250 passengers are still being held hostage in a train hijacking in Pakistan’s southwestern province of Balochistan. However, according to the latest reports, security forces have rescued 200 passengers so far. The separatist group Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for the attack. On Wednesday, there was a tense situation between security forces and militants. On Tuesday, militants attacked the train inside a tunnel in Balan district. The militants wearing explosive vests took positions inside the train along with the hostages. As a result, security forces are unable to carry out a full-scale operation.
BLA spokesman Ziand Baloch said that they will release the passengers if the imprisoned militants are released. The government has not yet responded, but it has rejected such demands in the past.
At least 30 militants have been killed in the initial exchange of fire since the clashes began on Tuesday. The security forces are being provided air support by helicopters.
The BLA has attacked trains before, but this is the first time it has hijacked a train. The group regularly attacks Pakistani security forces and has also targeted Chinese nationals involved in the multi-billion dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project. The BLA is estimated to have around 3,000 fighters.
Thousands of Chinese workers are working on major infrastructure projects in Balochistan, including building ports and airports, as part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Condemning the attack, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning expressed support for Pakistan’s counter-terrorism efforts.
Women and children were among the 200 passengers rescued. Several security personnel were killed.
The Zafar Express train was partially in a tunnel when militants detonated explosives on the tracks to stop the engine and nine coaches. The train driver was injured and security guards on the train were attacked.
The rescued passengers are being sent to their respective cities and the injured are being treated at a hospital in Mach district. Some of the injured have been shifted to the provincial capital Quetta.
Balochistan, which borders Iran and Afghanistan, has long been the scene of an insurgency. The separatists have been demanding greater autonomy and a larger share of the region’s natural resources.
The BLA has said it will blow up the train with the hostages if the imprisoned militants are not released. They have also threatened to carry suicide bombs.