• Pakistani military rescued over 300 hostages from the Jaffar Express train hijacked by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA).
• At least 33 BLA militants were killed during a counter-terror operation while 21 civilian hostages were also reported dead.
• The hijacking, marking a significant escalation in BLA attacks, raised concerns about security and separatist violence in Balochistan.

In a dramatic standoff lasting nearly 36 hours, Pakistani security forces successfully rescued hostages from the Jaffar Express, which was hijacked by militants from the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) in the remote Bolan region of Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province. Over 400 passengers were on board the train, which was traveling from Quetta to Peshawar when militants detonated explosives on the tracks, forcing the train to a halt. Eyewitness accounts described chaos as militants opened fire and stormed the carriages, taking many passengers hostage while killing 21 civilians, including women and children, and four members of the security forces.

The BLA claimed responsibility for the attack, threatening to execute hostages unless authorities released Baloch political prisoners within 48 hours. Eyewitnesses reported horrific scenes, describing how militants separated passengers based on ethnicity and executed those identified as security personnel. Amid the mayhem, rescue operations were hindered by the lack of mobile connectivity in the isolated area, complicating efforts to secure the hostages' safety.

After extensive negotiations and armed confrontations, Pakistans military launched a decisive rescue mission which led to the death of all 33 attackers. According to military spokesperson Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, the operation carefully neutralized the attackers while securing the hostages. However, conflicting reports emerged regarding the exact numbers and fate of the hostages, with the BLA denying that hostages had been liberated and claiming some still remained in their custody.

The incident has highlighted the ongoing tensions in Balochistan, a province grappling with a lengthy separatist struggle that has intensified in recent months. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack, asserting that the rising militancy posed an existential threat to Pakistan's stability and economic welfare. In response to ongoing violence, government officials are reviewing security measures, emphasizing the need to act decisively against extremist groups.

For more in-depth coverage and updates on this developing situation, visit Reuters, or read further at BBC.