Pakistani security forces killed at least 16 terrorists during an operation to rescue hostages after a train attack in the Kacchi district of Balochistan province, security sources said.

According to security officials, the operation split the attackers into small groups, leading to an intense exchange of gunfire.

The security forces successfully freed 104 hostages from the terrorists, including 58 men, 31 women, and 15 children. At least 17 injured passengers were transferred to a nearby hospital. Efforts are ongoing to secure the release of any remaining hostages.

“Additional security personnel are participating in the ongoing operation. The noose around the terrorists has been tightened, and the operation will continue until the last terrorist is eliminated,” the sources said.

Details of the attack

A group of armed men opened fire on the Jaffar Express passenger train, which was carrying about 450 passengers. Several people were injured in the attack, according to Xinhua news agency.

Senior Pakistan Railways official Muhammad Kashif said that the train was traveling from Quetta to Peshawar when militants launched the attack in a mountainous region where communication is severely restricted.

“In the last contact with the train, the driver reported that an explosion hit the railway track, forcing the train to stop. Immediately after, the militants opened heavy fire, injuring the driver and several passengers,” Kashif said.

Government response

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack and praised the security forces for their swift response.

“Despite the difficult terrain, the morale of the security forces involved in the operation remains high. We will continue this war against terrorism until this menace is completely eradicated from the country,” Sharif stated.

He added that any attempts to destabilize Pakistan would be crushed:
“We will never allow the evil intentions of anti-state elements to succeed.”

Claim of responsibility

The banned terrorist group Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement on social media.