Quetta: In a major security breach, separatist militants in Pakistan’s Balochistan province attacked a passenger train on Tuesday, injuring the train driver and claiming to have killed six military personnel, Reuters reported. The attackers, belonging to the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), also claimed to have taken over 100 passengers hostage.
The train, which was traveling from Quetta to Peshawar, came under fire as it passed through Balochistan. Railway officials confirmed the attack and ongoing security concerns in the region.
The BLA, a militant separatist group demanding greater autonomy for Balochistan, stated that among the hostages were members of Pakistan’s military and security agencies.
“Amongst the hostages are active-duty personnel from the Pakistani military, police, Anti-Terrorism Force (ATF), and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI)–all of whom were traveling to Punjab on leave,” the group said in a statement.
