Quetta railway station of Pakistan.
Karachi: Pakistan security forces have so far claimed to free 155 hostages in the Pakistan Train Hijack case. The Pakistani Army on Tuesday rescued 155 passengers held hostage by suspected Baloch terrorists in the disturbed Balochistan province and killed 27 terrorists during this period. A campaign to free other passengers is also going on. Encounter is taking place between Baloch and Pakistani security forces. Pakistani security officials gave this information. However, the BLA says that he himself has released the hostages.
According to officials, about 500 passengers in nine coaches were going from Jafar Express Quetta to Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa when it was shot on Tuesday morning between Gudlar and Piru Konari areas. Security officials said that so far 13 militants have been killed by security forces and 80 passengers have been rescued. He informed that rescue operations are on. Earlier, the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attack and claimed that it took over 100 passengers hostage by taking the train in its possession.
11 children were also included in free people
Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind said, “Security forces have succeeded in getting 80 passengers – 43 men, 26 women and 11 children – from a compartment.” After this, 24 other passengers were then rescued. He told that about 400 passengers are still on the train, which is inside the tunnel. He said that the encounter between security forces and terrorists continues. Rind said that the rescue team has been sent to the spot amid reports of “fierce” firing on the passenger train going to Peshawar. Meanwhile, Pakistan Railway has set up an emergency desk at Quetta railway station as anxious relatives are arriving to gather information about their loved ones.
Announcement of emergency in Pakistan
No casualties or injuries have been reported officially, but a senior police officer has confirmed that an emergency has been declared and additional security forces have been deployed at the scene. 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 extremists 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. (Language)
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