Mugdha Das

Pakistan Train Attack: 21 hostages, 33 militants killed

Digital Desk: In what arrives as an alarming international update and development, a devastating attack on the Jaffar Express train in southwestern Pakistan's Balochistan province has left 21 hostages and 33 militants dead, with over 300 passengers rescued.

In the latest inputs pouring, the deadly hijack incident has left 100 Pakistani Security personnel dead in the skirmish which followed with the militants of the Balochistan Liberation Army.

The train, carrying around 500 people, was hijacked by separatist militants from the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) on Tuesday.

The BLA claimed responsibility for the attack, asserting that they had seized control of the train, killed 50 security personnel, and taken 214 passengers, including active-duty personnel, as hostages. These claims have not been verified as of yet.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief and shock over the attack, condemning it as a "cowardly act" that would not shake Pakistan's resolve for peace. The Pakistani army confirmed the end of the rescue operation, stating that 33 militants and 21 hostages were killed, while over 300 passengers were rescued.

The attack occurred when the train got trapped in a tunnel and gunmen opened fire, killing the train driver. The train was traveling from Quetta to Peshawar when it was targeted.