Karachi/Islamabad, March 12 – In a major counter-terrorism operation, Pakistani security forces successfully neutralized at least 27 terrorists and rescued 155 passengers after a passenger train was attacked inside a tunnel in the restive Balochistan province. The attack, carried out by Baloch militants on Tuesday, led to an intense standoff that extended into Wednesday, as per agency report.
The assault took place when heavily armed militants stopped the Jaffer Express, which was traveling from Quetta to Peshawar, in the mountainous Bolan region. The train, carrying nearly 500 passengers in nine coaches, was halted near Piru Kunri and Gudlar tunnels, a difficult terrain where trains often slow down due to multiple tunnels and challenging topography. The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), a banned separatist group, later claimed responsibility for the attack.
Security officials confirmed that 155 passengers, including women and children, were safely evacuated despite the ongoing gunbattle. However, 37 passengers sustained injuries and were provided medical assistance. The militants attempted to use hostages as human shields, positioning suicide bombers near them to deter security forces.
Officials reported that security forces surrounded the tunnel and launched a cautious operation, aiming to minimize casualties among the remaining hostages. Some of the terrorists, fearing imminent defeat, split into smaller groups to escape under the cover of darkness. However, the security forces maintained control over the area and vowed to neutralize the remaining militants soon.
Amid the fierce gunfire and explosions near the tunnel, local media reported heavy security deployment. Meanwhile, Pakistan Railways set up an emergency desk at Quetta railway station, where anxious relatives gathered seeking information about their loved ones.
While the BLA claimed to have voluntarily released women and children, the Pakistani government refuted this assertion. Interior Minister Talal Chaudhry clarified that all hostages were freed through security operations. Officials also disclosed that at least four to five government officials were on board the train when the attack occurred.
Senior Peshawar railway official Tariq Mehmood urged people not to believe misleading social media rumors about the incident. Meanwhile, the BLA issued a warning, stating that any military intervention would lead to the execution of all remaining hostages.
The BLA is a designated terrorist organization in Pakistan, the UK, and the US. The attack highlights the growing instability in Balochistan, a province that has seen a surge in militant activity over the past year.
In November last year, a suicide bomber detonated explosives at Quetta railway station, killing 26 people and injuring 62 others. That incident led to the suspension of several railway services. The latest attack has once again raised concerns over the security situation in Pakistan’s most volatile province.
