Pakistani security forces successfully rescued 155 passengers and killed at least 27 separatists after a passenger train was hijacked in Balochistan province on Tuesday.

The Jaffar Express, carrying around 400 passengers in nine coaches, was travelling from Quetta to Peshawar when armed men linked to the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) stopped it inside a tunnel near the rugged areas of Gudalar and Piru Kunri. 155 passengers, including women and children, were freed by security forces during a fierce battle, Dawn said. Local authorities are attempting to guarantee the safety of every passenger while the rescue effort continues. According to Pakistani media outlet - Samaa TV, the attack took place at the Sibi-Bolan border, where armed men ambushed a train. The incident left the train driver critically injured and several passengers wounded. As security operations continue, local hospitals have been put on high alert to provide urgent medical care to those affected. 

Some hostages are believed to have been taken into the mountains, leading security forces to continue their search under difficult conditions. According to news reports, 58 men, 31 women, and 15 children who were rescued have been moved to Mach, a town in Balochistan's Kachhi district, via another train. A PTI source mentioned that the separatists have divided into smaller groups to evade capture in the dark. However, security forces have surrounded the tunnel and are actively working to rescue the remaining passengers. Some hostages are believed to have been taken into the mountains, and security forces are continuing their search in tough conditions. News reports say that 58 men, 31 women, and 15 children were rescued and taken to Mach, a town in Balochistan’s Kachhi district, on another train. A source quoted by PTI mentioned that the separatists have broken into smaller groups to try and escape under the cover of darkness. However, security forces have surrounded the tunnel, and efforts are ongoing to rescue the remaining passengers.

Earlier, security forces successfully rescued 80 passengers from the hijacked train, including 43 men, 26 women, and 11 children, according to Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind. Rind stated that military personnel quickly arrived at the remote tunnel site after being alerted about the hijacking. Although authorities have not shared additional details, Pakistani media reported intense gunfire and explosions in the area where the train was taken. Rana Muhammad Dilawar, the district police officer, mentioned that four to five government officials were onboard. Meanwhile, the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) claimed to have captured several security personnel, though this has not been confirmed by officials. Pakistan Railways suspended all train services connecting Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan on Tuesday following the terrorist attack on the Jaffar Express, according to a report by Dawn. Pakistan Railways has set up emergency help desks at Quetta and Peshawar railway stations to assist worried families. The hijacked train was part of the Quetta-Peshawar service, which had only recently resumed after being suspended for over a month and a half. This incident comes after a tragic attack in November last year, when a suicide bombing at Quetta railway station killed 26 people and injured 62, prompting Pakistan Railways to halt services temporarily. 

Balochistan has faced ongoing unrest due to long-standing issues like economic neglect, political marginalization, and human rights concerns. Many Baloch people have opposed the region's incorporation into Pakistan since 1948, feeling excluded from political representation. Despite being rich in natural resources, the province continues to struggle with poverty, with locals seeing minimal economic benefits. Separatist groups like the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), which is believed to have ties with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), often target security forces while pushing for greater autonomy or independence.

Fresh reports now indicate that the BLA has released women, children and the elderly as opposed to new agencies' claims of Pakistan security forces rescuing the hostages.