At least 104 hostages rescued, dozens still captive as militants attack passenger train in Pakistan

At least 104 hostages were rescued, while dozens remained in captivity as militants attacked the Jaffar Express, a passenger train, in Pakistan's province of Balochistan on Tuesday.

Pakistani security forces have killed 22 militants in the ongoing operation.

Several other militants were injured as security forces tightened their grip on the assailants, who had split into smaller groups. Intense gunfire was ongoing at the scene.

The rescued hostages included 58 men, 38 women, and 15 children. Authorities said efforts are underway to secure the safe release of the remaining hostages.

The first freight train carrying the rescued passengers arrived at Machh station late Tuesday night.

The attack took place on Tuesday when armed militants opened fire on the Jaffar Express, which was traveling from Quetta to Peshawar. At least three people, including the train’s driver, were injured in the assault.

The separatist Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility, warning that passengers would be harmed if security forces attempted a rescue.

Train under siege

"Over 450 passengers onboard are being held hostage by gunmen," Muhammad Kashif, a senior railway official in Quetta, told AFP shortly after the attack.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi condemned the attack, calling the assailants "beasts" who deserve "no leniency". He also wished a swift recovery for the injured.

Security forces have surrounded the assailants, but the rugged and mountainous terrain of the Bolan district has made access difficult. Hospitals in Sibi and Dhadar have been placed on emergency alert, and ambulances have been dispatched to the site.

Speaking to Nukta, Abdur Rauf, son of hostage Umar Farooq, said: “I personally dropped my father at the station in the morning. He was traveling to Gujranwala to offer condolences to a relative. After the train departed, I returned home, but when news of the attack broke, I tried calling him—his phone was switched off. We have no idea where he is or what condition he might be in. All we can do is hope for the best.”

Farooq, whose aunt Zarina and brother-in-law Aurangzeb are among the hostages, said that they were traveling to Sukkur on the same train. “We haven’t been able to reach them as their phones are switched off. However, we’ve received reports that they are among those rescued and taken to Machh. We remain hopeful that they are safe,” he said.

Heavy gunfight ongoing

Security forces report that the militants have split into smaller groups to evade capture. Additional troops have been deployed to reinforce the operation.

Officials confirmed that a relief train has been sent by Pakistan Railways, while security personnel continue their efforts to regain control of the area.

‘Indian, Afghan connection’

Security sources claim the attackers remain in contact with their masterminds in Afghanistan. The militants have reportedly used women and children as human shields, complicating the operation.

Forces have vowed to continue their mission until every militant is eliminated. Meanwhile, authorities allege that anti-state and Indian social media accounts have been spreading misinformation since the attack. They accuse these platforms of using old videos, AI-generated footage, and fabricated messages to fuel panic.

Balochistan unrest intensifies

Balochistan has seen a sharp rise in separatist attacks, with the BLA leading a decades-long insurgency against the Pakistani state.

According to the Global Terrorism Index 2025, Baloch militant attacks surged from 116 in 2023 to 504 in 2024, with related deaths increasing fourfold to 388.

Security experts warn that Baloch militant groups have escalated their tactics, moving beyond guerrilla attacks to targeting major infrastructure and transportation routes. Analysts describe this shift as a "new level of insurgency."

The militants demand a greater share of Balochistan’s natural resources, which they claim are being exploited by the central government.

Authorities have vowed to continue the operation until the last militant is neutralized and all hostages are safely recovered.