PAKISTAN’S train hijack terror has ended in a daylong bloodbath, with all suicide vest insurgents killed in a fierce battle between security forces and separatist militants.
Pakistani forces rescued over 300 passengers, ceasing the deadly standoff in Balochistan’s Bolan tunnel, where 450 people had been trapped aboard the Jaffar Express since Tuesday.
Some hostages were also killed, authorities confirmed, though the exact death toll remains unclear.
Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti told a provincial assembly: “We have also lost people, but we will share details later.”
Officials, speaking anonymously, confirmed the operation was complete but gave no details on the number of hostages killed.
Survivors of the hijacking are now being sent home, while the injured are being treated in hospitals across Mach and Quetta.
Separatist militants clad in suicide vests had taken 250 hostages and issued a 24-hour deadline for authorities to meet their demands – but later started murdering them.
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) had claimed “complete control” over the train after militants stormed it in a tunnel, blowing up the tracks and immobilizing nine coaches.
They had earlier threatened to execute five hostages every hour unless authorities agreed to release jailed militants.
Pakistani security forces earlier engaged in a deadly battle – which had killed at least 30 militants – to rescue more than 190 people.
The government said on Wednesday afternoon that about 130 hostages were still being held.
A spokesperson said: “There was an attempt to rescue the hostages last night but it was repelled by the insurgents. In the morning, another attempt was repelled.”
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”Knifeman takes airport staff hostage…but tables turn when ex-boxer intervenes” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6369719115112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]Truckloads of coffins have also been moved in as the country braces for a bloodbath.
The Pakistani government has decided to send 200 coffins so far “as per protocol”, sources told local outlet Times Now News.
The BLA claimed it was holding more than 200 military personnel alongside civilians and threatened to execute five hostages every hour after the deadline expires.
It declared: “The occupying state has only 24 hours left.”
The group’s chilling statement vowed hostages would be put on trial in a “Baloch National Court” if their demand for a prisoner exchange was ignored.
The Pakistani government has not commented on negotiations but has previously rejected such demands.
Shahid Rind, a government spokesman, said: “This is an act of terrorism.”
HORROR HIJACK
450 people were travelling from Quetta to Peshawar before they were taken hostage on Tuesday.
A shocking video showed the moment a group horrifically ambushed the train while passing through a tunnel in the rugged Bolan district.
Terrified passengers were taken hostage and surrounded by men wearing vests covered in explosives.
The BLA said it was ready to free passengers if authorities agree to release jailed militants.
The Pakistani government has previously rejected these sorts of demands, and a spokesperson said helicopters were backing up to help forces in the mountainous area.
The train was partially inside a tunnel when the militants blew up the tracks and immobilised the engine and its nine coaches, according to government spokesman Shahid Rind.
The driver was critically wounded by gunfire and guards aboard the train were attacked.
Rind added: “This is an act of terrorism.”
Rescued passengers on board the doomed Jaffar Express train were rushed to hospital or pictured at nearby stations.
The BLA earlier warned there would be “severe consequences” if an attempt was made to rescue passengers.
It said that the hostages and some captured members of the security forces were being guarded by suicide bombers.
A traumatised traveller, Ishaq Noor, described his horror ordeal, according to the BBC.
Noor, who was with his wife and two children, said they desperately attempted to shield their kids from the blast.
He said: “If a bullet comes our way, it will hit us and not the children.”
Noor added: “We held our breath throughout the firing, not knowing what would happen next.”
Muhammad Ashraf was part of a group that was able to get off the train on Tuesday night.
He said: “There was a lot of fear among the passengers. It was a scene of doomsday.”
The BLA regularly targets Pakistani security forces, but has also in the past attacked civilians, including Chinese nationals working on multibillion-dollar projects.
China condemned the attack and foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said her country “will continue to firmly support Pakistan in advancing its counter-terrorism efforts”.
The Balochistan region, which borders Iran and Afghanistan, has long suffered from militant insurgencies.
Trains in the area typically have security personnel on board as members of the military often use trains to travel from Quetta, the capital of Balochistan, to other parts of the country.
Militants have attacked trains in the past but have never managed to hijack one.
In November, The BLA carried out a suicide bombing at a train station in Quetta that killed 26 people.
