Pakistan says train hijack has ended, 33 attackers killed

Twenty-one passengers and four paramilitary soldiers were killed by militants holding hostages after seizing control of a train in Pakistan's Balochistan province, an army general said on Wednesday. Spokesman Lt Gen Ahmad Sharif told Dunya News TV that security forces killed all 33 militants present at the scene.

"The forces successfully concluded the operation by killing all terrorists and rescuing all passengers safely," he said.

Pakistan Railway officials said around 750 passengers had booked to travel by Jaffar Express, but the train left Quetta with around 450 people onboard. Sources said over 200 security personnel were also travelling on the train.


Balochistan is experiencing its worst phase of insurgency of all the four phases it has witnessed since 1948, a security expert told ET. This could be the defining moment in Balochistan's history and its fight with Punjabi-dominated Pakistan governance structure. The daring nature of the hijack reflects a major intelligence failure of ISI and Pakistan Army, a source pointed out.

Chinese reaction to the incident will be keenly watched.

Earlier in the day, Balochistan Liberation Army spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch accused Pakistan of carrying out "irresponsible and foolish military aggression", alleging drone strikes and artillery shelling of positions held by BLA fighters.

He said the attacks proved Pakistan is "incapable of making serious decisions regarding prisoner exchange" and accused authorities of being "driven by war madness and stubbornness".

(With Agency Inputs)