Pakistani Army Ends Train Hijacking in Balochistan, Rescues Over 300 Hostages

A deadly standoff with Baloch separatists left dozens dead, highlighting ongoing insurgency and resource tensions in the region.

Pakistani forces concluded a high-stakes operation to rescue over 300 hostages from a train hijacked by Baloch Liberation Army militants in Balochistan.
The attack, which began with explosives derailing the Jaffer Express, resulted in at least 33 militants killed and 21 passengers dead, according to official reports.
The Baloch Liberation Army claimed responsibility, demanding the release of political prisoners and accusing the government of exploiting the region's resources.
The hijackers, some wearing suicide vests, used hostages as human shields, complicating rescue efforts that involved snipers and helicopter support.
The incident underscores decades-long tensions in Balochistan, where separatist groups have waged an insurgency for greater autonomy and control over natural resources.