Rescue Operation for Hostages on Train in Pakistan Ends with Death of Attackers

On Wednesday, March 13, a spokesperson for the Pakistani army announced that a military operation against militants who had hijacked a train carrying hundreds of passengers in southwestern Pakistan had concluded. Pakistani officials stated that the militants killed 21 hostages before security forces killed all 33 attackers, and the remaining passengers were rescued. Attaullah Tarar, Pakistan's information minister, stated that no passengers were killed due to the rescue operation and praised the army for 'preventing a potential disaster.' Dozens of militants from the 'Baloch Liberation Army,' the largest of several separatist groups in Balochistan province in southwestern Pakistan, blew up a railway line on Tuesday, March 12, and held a train carrying over 400 passengers. This train was traveling from Quetta to Peshawar, and 182 people, including military personnel, were taken hostage. Government officials reported that some militants were wearing suicide vests and were sitting among the hostages, complicating rescue efforts. The 'Baloch Liberation Army' claimed responsibility for the attack on the train and their spokesperson had previously stated that if the authorities agreed to release imprisoned militants, the group was ready to free the hostages. This group regularly targets Pakistani security forces and has also attacked civilians, including Chinese workers involved in multi-billion dollar infrastructure projects in Balochistan. The Baloch people believe they are not receiving a fair share of the revenues from Balochistan's natural resources, and this discontent has led to the insurgency of several Baloch separatist groups against the Pakistani government. The Baloch Liberation Army is designated as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, and the Pakistani government.