Pakistani militants attack train and passengers hostage

Armed militants in the Pakistani region of Balochistan attacked a train carrying hundreds of passengers and took a number of hostages, BBC military sources said.

The Belach Liberation Army (BLA) fired a Jaffar Express train when she traveled from a flower to Peshawar.

A statement of the separatist group said she bombed the track before storming the train in the remote area of ​​Sibi. He claimed the train was under his control.

Pakistani police reported to local journalists, at least three people, including the train driver, was injured. Security forces were sent to the scene as well as helicopters to try to save hostages, BBC police said.

There were reports of “intensive shooting” on the train, said a press secretary of the Government of Balochistan by the local newspaper “Svitanak”. A high police official said “remains detained in front of the tunnel,” AFP reports.

The Belach Liberation Army warned of “grave consequences” when an attempt was made to save the ones he holds.

He led the rebels decades to gain independence and started numerous deadly attacks, often focusing on police areas, railway lines and highways. Pakistani authorities, as well as several Western countries, including the UK and the United States, have been appointed BLA as a terrorist organization.

Flower Railway controller Muhammad Kashif told the BBC that 400-450 passengers were registered on the train. Officials did not confirm how much, in their opinion, was taken hostage.

Railway officials in the flower, quoting paramilitary sources, said the BBC that women and children landed from the train and went towards the city of Sibi. They didn’t have the exact number.

Meanwhile, passengers are trying to get information from the counter at the Railway Station.

The son of one passenger Muhammad Ashraf, who left the flower in Lahora on Tuesday morning, told the BBC Urdu that he could not contact his father. Officials say they still have to communicate with anyone in the train.

There is no internet and mobile network covering in the area, BBC officials said.

Balochistan is the largest province of Pakistan and the richest in terms of natural resources, but this is the least developed.

Additional USMan Zahid and BBC URDU report