In a deadly assault, separatist militants attacked the Jaffar Express train in southwestern Pakistan’s Balochistan province on Tuesday, killing 20 security personnel and taking 182 passengers hostage, according to reports. The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that they derailed the train and seized control.
The train, carrying around 500 passengers, was traveling from Quetta to Peshawar when gunmen opened fire, injuring the train driver and causing widespread panic among passengers. According to Reuters, the militants continued their assault, targeting security personnel aboard the train.
Local media reports indicate that six military personnel were among those killed. The BLA, in a chilling warning, threatened to execute all hostages if Pakistani forces attempted a military rescue operation.
The Balochistan government has declared an emergency, mobilizing all available resources to manage the crisis. “There are reports of intense firing at the Jaffar Express,” Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind told Dawn, calling it a “possible terrorist incident.”
Balochistan, a resource-rich but conflict-ridden region, has been the epicenter of separatist insurgencies for decades. The BLA, the most prominent militant group in the area, has been fighting for independence, accusing the Pakistani government of exploiting the province’s vast mineral and gas resources.