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At least 16 separatists were killed by Pakistani security forces in a counter-operation after Baloch militants hijacked a passenger train in a tunnel in Pakistan’s restive Balochistan province on Tuesday (March 11), news agency AFP reported citing security officials. The security forces also rescued 155 passengers.
“Security forces have safely rescued 155 passengers… 27 terrorists have been eliminated,” a security source said to AFP, adding the operation was still “ongoing”.
The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), which has claimed responsibility for the attack, said that it had killed 20 Pakistani military personnel, according to Reuters.
The Jaffar Express was travelling from Balochistan’s capital city, Quetta, to Peshawar, carrying around 400 passengers in nine bogies.
Armed BLA men intercepted the train in a tunnel near the mountainous terrain of Gudalar and Piru Kunri on Tuesday afternoon.
Security sources confirmed that in an ongoing gun battle with the militants, they managed to rescue 104 passengers, including women and children.
A sources said to that the clean-up operation will continue until all passengers are rescued from the train.
Some militants have taken hostages into the mountains, with security forces chasing them in the dark.
A source said the rescued passengers—58 men, 31 women, and 15 children—were sent to Mach by another train.
“The militants have split into small groups to escape, but security forces have surrounded the tunnel. The remaining passengers will be rescued soon,” the source told PTI.
Earlier, security forces had rescued 80 passengers, including 43 men, 26 women, and 11 children, according to Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind.
Though the authorities have not given any more details, Rind said the security forces, including military troops, had reached the rough terrain where the tunnel is located shortly after railway authorities were alerted that the train had been stopped in the tunnel.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsIntense firing, bombing
The Pakistani media reported intense firing and explosions near the tunnel, where the militants hijacked the train.
Rind said they had dispatched rescue teams amid reports of “intense” firing at a Peshawar-bound passenger train.
Rana Muhammad Dilawar, the district police officer, said security forces had surrounded the area. However, there were reports that militants had taken some women and children hostage. He also mentioned that four to five government officials were on the train.
Pakistan Railways recently resumed train services between Quetta and Peshawar after a suspension of more than a month and a half.
Earlier in November last year, a suicide bomber killed 26 people and injured 62 others at the Quetta railway station after which several services were suspended by the Railways.
With inputs from agencies