Militants Attack Peshawar-Bound Train in Balochistan, BLA Claims Responsibility

 An intense gunfire attack targeted a Peshawar-bound train in Pakistan’s Balochistan province on Tuesday, prompting the provincial government to order emergency measures, local media reported.

According to Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind, the attack occurred on the Jaffar Express, which was traveling from Quetta to Peshawar. Authorities suspect a terrorist incident, and the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist militant group, has since claimed responsibility.

In a statement, the BLA declared that its operatives blew up the railway track in the Mashkaf, Dhadar, and Bolan regions, forcing the train to halt before taking control.

"The Baloch Liberation Army has carried out a meticulously planned operation, seizing control of the train and holding all passengers hostage," the group stated.

The BLA claims to have killed six military personnel during the attack, while hundreds of passengers remain in their custody. The group has also issued a stark warning, threatening to execute the hostages if Pakistan initiates a military response.

Security officials confirmed that a train driver was seriously injured in the attack. The train, en route from Quetta to Peshawar, came under heavy gunfire, causing panic among passengers.

Rescue teams and security forces have reached the scene, launching an operation to track down the assailants and secure the hostages. An emergency relief team has also been dispatched to assist the wounded train driver, according to The Express Tribune.

The incident marks yet another escalation in the ongoing conflict between Pakistani security forces and Baloch separatist groups, raising concerns over the deteriorating security situation in the region.