In a statement, the Baroque Liberation Army (BLA), the extremist separatist group responsible for several deadly attacks, claimed responsibility for the hostage crisis and took hostages from trains, including security forces. At least 20 soldiers were killed in the attack, they said.
“The Baroque Liberation Army carried out a meticulously planned operation at Mashkaff, Dadar, Boran, where our freedom fighters blasted the railway tracks and stopped the Jafar Express. The fighters quickly ruled the train and took all passengers hostage.”
Police and railway officials allegedly injured the train driver in the shooting Tuesday. The train was on its way from Ketta to Peshawar when it was fired. Operations are underway to help rescue and security forces reach the scene and track the militants.
However, the BLA claimed it had “completely repelled” the Pakistani army’s ground attack, and was forced to retreat by the troops and captured 100 security guards. The BLA issued a final warning to carry out all hostages if the military did not stop the airstrike.
MNA