Baloch Liberation Army Hijacks Jaffar Express, Holds 182 Hostages

The Baloch Liberation Army has taken 182 hostages from the Jaffar Express, claiming responsibility for killing over 20 military personnel. Intense confrontations with the Pakistani Air Force are ongoing, with BLA using anti-aircraft artillery. The group threatens to execute hostages if the military approaches.

The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has declared that it is responsible for holding 182 passengers hostage on the Jaffar Express. The group asserts that the hostages have been in their control for six hours, during which they claimed to have killed over 20 military personnel, according to a statement released on Tuesday.

The BLA's statement detailed intense confrontations with the Pakistani Air Force, highlighting their use of anti-aircraft artillery to deliver significant losses to the enemy forces. The hostages are reportedly under the watch of the BLA's Fidayeen unit, the Majeed Brigade, as the group fortifies its stronghold against military intervention.

Local media earlier reported the train ambush while traveling from Quetta to Peshawar. Over 450 passengers and staff are feared captured, sparking emergency measures by the Balochistan government. Communication with the train has been lost, as officials scramble to find resolution amidst growing tensions.

(With inputs from agencies.)