Wed Mar 12 18:44:25 UTC 2025: ## Pakistan Army Ends Train Siege, 33 Militants Killed
**Much, Balochistan, Pakistan –** A deadly siege on a Pakistani passenger train in Balochistan Province concluded Wednesday evening, resulting in the deaths of 21 passengers and four paramilitary soldiers. The Pakistan Army launched a rescue operation after the Jaffar Express, carrying 440 passengers, was derailed and hijacked by 33 militants from the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) on Tuesday.
Lt. Gen. Ahmad Sharif, an Army spokesman, announced that all militants were killed during the operation. The militants, who initially used hostages as human shields, were reportedly communicating with facilitators in Afghanistan via satellite phones. The operation was conducted cautiously to protect the remaining passengers. All hostages were rescued, according to the Army.
The BLA claimed responsibility for the attack earlier, stating they had killed six soldiers. The militants used explosives to derail the train near Gudalar and Piru Kunri before seizing it. The attack took place in a tunnel 160 kilometers from Quetta.
Federal Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar praised the Army, Frontier Corps, Special Service Group, and Air Force for their swift action and successful rescue. He also accused Indian media of spreading propaganda regarding the incident.
Survivors described scenes of intense gunfire and explosions, recounting how they protected their children during the ordeal. One passenger, Mushtaq Muhammad, described the ordeal as unforgettable.
The attack has been widely condemned internationally, with the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad and the EU Ambassador to Pakistan issuing statements of support for Pakistan and expressing condolences to the victims. The incident marks a significant escalation in violence in Balochistan, which has seen a rise in attacks in recent years.
First Piper 