On Tuesday, separatist extremists hijacked a train in Balochistan, Pakistan, killing at least 10 people, including nine security guards and a train driver. The incident occurred when the Jafar Express, carrying about 450 passengers, was stopped by armed individuals in Tunnel No. 8. By Tuesday night, security forces managed to release 104 hostages, including men, women, and children, while ongoing operations aimed at neutralizing the attackers continued. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), which claimed responsibility, threatened that hostages would be executed if security operations continued. Authorities faced challenges accessing the mountainous region where the attack took place. Prime Minister Shebaz Sharif condemned the attack, noting its occurrence during Ramadan, and emphasized that such actions contradict Islamic teachings. The ongoing insurgency in Balochistan has intensified over the years, fueled by grievances over resource exploitation and unrest surrounding the leasing of Gwadar port to China. The BLA has been linked to Pakistan’s deadliest attacks over the past year.
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