In Pakistan’s disturbed Balochistan province on Tuesday, a train opened fire by gunmen in which several railway passengers were injured. After this incident, the provincial government has directed the officials to take ’emergency steps’.
The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), taking responsibility for the attack, claimed that it captured the train, killed six security personnel and took over 100 passengers, including active duty personnel, hostage. However, his claim has not been confirmed independent. According to reports, 20 people have died so far.
The BLA has issued a statement warning that if the Pakistani army takes any military action, all the hostages will be killed ‘. Apart from Pakistan, this group is also banned in Britain and America.
The number of casualties has not been officially informed, but security sources said that the train driver and several passengers were injured in the shootout.
Balochistan government spokesman Shahid Rind said, “There are reports of heavy firing between Piru Konari and Gudlar on the Jafar Express going from Quetta to Peshawar.”
According to Rind, the rescue teams and security forces have reached the spot and a campaign is being carried out to search for the attackers. Emergency has been declared in local hospitals.
Security sources said the campaign would continue till the last terrorist is killed. Railway officials have confirmed that the driver of the train has been seriously injured and an emergency relief train has been sent to help.
Railway controller Muhammad Kasif has said that this train with nine coaches had about 500 passengers. He said, “The train was stopped by armed people in tunnel number 8. ,
According to Pakistan Railway, there are 17 tunnels on this railroad and the speed of the train is often slow due to the inaccessible area.
The Government of Balochistan has directed local authorities to take “emergency steps”. A statement by the provincial government said that the Emergency has been implemented in Sibi Hospital and ambulances and security forces are reaching the spot.
Pakistan’s Home Minister Mohsin Naqvi condemned the incident, saying, “Poor firing at innocent travelers is not entitled to any concession.”
Earlier, this railway line was also attacked by Baloch terrorists using rockets or remote-controlled bombs. The BLA took responsibility for most of the attacks.
In October last year, Pakistan Railways announced the restoration of rail services between Quetta and Peshawar after a suspension of more than one and a half months.
Balochistan has seen an increase in terrorist attacks in the last one year. At least 26 people were killed and 62 others were injured in a suicide blast at Quetta railway station in November 2024.
Oil and mineral -rich Balochistan is the largest but lowest population province according to the area of Pakistan.
Balochistan, bordering the border of Iran and Afghanistan, has long been struggling with violent separatism. Baloch rebel groups often attack security personnel, government projects and US $ 60 billion in the region, targeting the Chinese Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects costing US $ 60 billion
