A passenger train was firing on Tuesday in Pakistan’s southwest province Balochistan, in which the driver was seriously injured and more than 450 passengers and employees are feared hostage.
According to Don News report, the Jafar Express was going from Quetta in South-Western Balochistan province of Pakistan to Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, when he took a fierce firing in Balochistan.
According to the news agency, the provincial government has directed local authorities to take immediate emergency measures.
According to ARY News, the driver of the train suffered serious injuries. Pakistan’s Sama TV said that according to railway officials, no contact has been established with 450 passengers and employees aboard the 9 coach Jafar Express.
The train left from Quetta at 9 am.
In a statement, the Baloch Liberation Army has claimed responsibility for the attack and said that “After capturing the Zafar Express, the BLA has completely failed the Pakistani Army’s ground attack. After the horrific clashes, Pakistani ground troops were forced to back down, but aerial attacks from helicopters and drones are continuing aerial attacks.”
It further states that if the air bombing is not stopped immediately, more than 100 hostages will be killed in the event of Pakistan starting a military rescue operation.
After the incident, Balochistan government spokesman Shahid Rind said, “Jafar Express going from Quetta to Peshawar [ट्रेन] But there are reports of intense firing between Pehro Kunari and Gadalar. “
The train carrying about 500 passengers in nine coaches was stopped by armed people in tunnel number 8 between Pehro Kunri and Gadalar. Efforts are on to establish contact with passengers and employees.
According to Dawn, after the incident, Emergency has been declared in Sibi Hospital and ambulances and security forces have reached the spot. However, a spokesman for the Government of Balochistan said that the authorities are facing difficulties in reaching the spot due to the rocky area.
The statement further said, “The Railway Department has sent more trains to the spot for rescue work. The possibility of the scale and terrorist elements of the incident is being ascertained. The Government of Balochistan has ordered that emergency measures should be taken and all institutions should be active.”
According to Health Department spokesman Dr. Wasim Baig, Emergency has also been declared in Quetta’s Civil Hospital. “All consultants, doctors, pharmacists, staff nurses and paramedical staff have been invited to the hospital,” Beg said.
Last year, Pakistan Railways announced the restoration of rail services between Quetta and Peshawar from October 11 after suspension for more than one and a half months.
