190 hostages freed, 30 militants killed as Baloch separatist group claims responsibility
Militants have reportedly deployed suicide bombers wearing explosive vests near hostages, making rescue operations extremely critical.
190 hostages freed, 30 militants killed as Baloch separatist group claims responsibility, latest news: At least 155 hostages have been confirmed freed from among the hundreds held by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), a Pakistani separatist group, during its attack on a Peshawar-bound train in Pakistan. Pakistani officials claim that 30 BLA militants have been killed so far.
On Wednesday, Pakistani forces initiated a full-scale operation to free passengers held hostage by BLA militants. However, reports indicate that many hostages are still in captivity.
AFP quoted sources stating, "Information indicates that some militants have escaped, taking an unspecified number of hostages into the surrounding mountainous regions."
Militants have reportedly deployed suicide bombers wearing explosive vests near hostages, making rescue operations extremely critical. Women and children have been taken hostage at three different locations.
The Jaffar Express, a passenger train traveling from Quetta, the provincial capital of the southwestern province of Balochistan, to Peshawar, the capital of the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, was hijacked by Pakistani separatists on Tuesday.
The train, carrying over 450 passengers in its nine coaches, was attacked just before entering a tunnel in the Bolan Mountains.
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attack later on Tuesday, stating that six military personnel had been killed. The group also claimed that security personnel were among those taken hostage and warned of retaliation if security forces launched an operation.
The separatist militant group also reportedly released a video showing how the attack was carried out.
It is reported that the train driver, who was injured during the attack, later succumbed to his injuries.
Security sources reported that 37 passengers were wounded during the rescue operation and have been sent for medical treatment, as per PTI.
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