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Pakistan Military Rescues Hostages from Balochistan Train Hijacking

In a significant operation, the Pakistani army has successfully rescued over 300 hostages from a passenger train that was taken over by militants in Balochistan province on Tuesday. According to military officials, the operation resulted in the elimination of 33 insurgents.

Tragically, prior to the military’s intervention, the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) is reported to have killed 21 civilians and four members of the military among the hostages. The operation was part of ongoing military efforts to ensure the area is free from any remaining threats posed by militants.

The BLA, which is classified as a terrorist organization by both Pakistani authorities and several Western nations, including the United Kingdom and the United States, has long been involved in demanding greater autonomy or outright independence for Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province. The group accuses the central government in Islamabad of exploiting the province’s abundant mineral resources while failing to meet the needs of its people.

Historically, the BLA has targeted military installations, railway stations, and transport systems; however, this incident marks a notable escalation with the first instance of a train hijacking attributed to their activities. Officials indicated that around 100 of the train’s passengers were members of the security forces.

Reports suggest that the militants had issued threats to execute hostages if the government did not comply with their demands to release Baloch political prisoners within a strict timeframe of 48 hours.

The ongoing security operations in Balochistan reflect the government’s commitment to restoring order amidst increasing militant activities, as well as addressing the underlying tensions that fuel such conflicts in the region.

Source
www.bbc.com