Armed militants attacked the Jaffar Express train in Balochistan, Pakistan, as it traveled from Quetta to Peshawar. They bombed the tracks and stormed the train in Sibi district, claiming to have taken control.
At least three people, including the train driver, were injured. Security forces and helicopters have been sent to rescue the hostages.
There were more than 100 army personnel on board. The train is reportedly stuck near a tunnel surrounded by mountains. A Balochistan government spokesperson confirmed intense firing at the site.
The train had 400-450 passengers, but it’s unclear how many have been taken hostage. Some 80 passengers (including 11 children, 26 women, and 43 men) managed to leave and reach Panir railway station. They later boarded a cargo train to Mach and were being transported to Quetta by bus.
Many families are still waiting for news of their loved ones. A man said his wife and children were among those who escaped, but his brother-in-law is still held hostage. Others have been unable to contact their relatives as the area has no mobile or internet coverage.
Balochistan is Pakistan’s largest and resource-rich province but remains the least developed. The region has seen a long-running insurgency, with militant groups frequently targeting police, railway lines, and highways in their fight for independence.