A train carrying approximately 450 passengers, including women and children, has been hijacked by armed militants in Pakistan. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has confirmed that it attacked the Jaffar Express Train and that, should their demands not be met, they will begin executing the hostages.
Videos by Wide Open Country
According to the Daily Mail, the train departed from Quetta, located in the Balochistan province, and was supposed to arrive at Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. During the journey, the train was attacked by the BLA gunmen. The train's driver was shot, as per police, and the attackers killed six military personnel.
Following the attack, that left the train trapped inside a tunnel, social media posts confirmed that the BLA was responsible for the attack. They issued a statement as well, with outlets such as the Times of India reporting that their demands include the BLA and Balochistan receiving a greater share of the local gas and mineral resources. The BLA, a separatist armed group, has historically sought Balochistan's independence from Pakistan.
"During the resistance, six military personnel were killed, while over 100 passengers have been taken into BLA custody," the BLA statement reads. "Among the hostages are active-duty personnel from the Pakistani military, police, Anti-Terrorism Force (ATF), and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI)—all of whom were traveling to Punjab on leave."
The BLA also stated that should armed forces not retreat or choose to intervene, they would begin executing the hostages. They also confirmed that after hijacking the train, the attackers released the "women, children, and Baloch passengers." "All remaining hostages are serving personnel of the occupying forces," the statement reads.
Reactions
According to officials, and reported by the Daily Mail, local Sibi Hospital has been declared in a state of emergency. Ambulances are currently struggling to access the location to help retrieve the wounded.
Authorities have been quick to condemn the attack. Among them is Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. Mohsin called the attackers "beasts" that "do not deserve concessions" for firing on innocent passengers.
Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar spoke with Dawn, a local newspaper, and reported by Newsweek. "The heinous plans of anti-national and anti-social elements will never be allowed to be allowed," he said. "The Sindh government stands with the Balochistan government."
A research analyst for the Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies, Safdar Sial, told the AP in December that the modern BLA has dramatically changed their strategies. This, according to Sial, will pose a threat to Pakistani authorities.
"This is not the same BLA as four or five years ago," Sial said, reported by Arab News. "They are perpetrating tactical assaults. The targets have changed. The tactics have changed. It will be difficult (for the government) to tackle the threat that has developed."
