Gunmen open fire on express train in Pakistan's Balochistan

A train in Pakistan Balochistan was attacked by gunmen Following the incident several passengers were injuredThe incident led the government to direct authorities to take emergency measuresThere are reports of intense firing at a Jaffar Express which was heading from Quetta to Peshawar between Pehro Kunri and Gadalar Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind saidThe Balochistan Liberation Army BLA stated that they have taken over the control of the train and killed six security personnel and took over 100 passengers and duty personnel into custodyIn a statement the BLA warned that if the Pakistan military launches an operation all hostages will be executed The group is banned in Pakistan the UK and the USSo far the data of casualties is not available but according to the sources the train driver and several passengers were injured in the gunfireAlso ReadRBI to issue Rs 100 and Rs 200 notes bearing signature of Governor Sanjay MalhotraRescue teams and security forces have reached the scenes and an operation has been launched to track down the attackEmergency was declared in the local hospitals Railway officials confirmed that the trains driver sustained serious injuries and an emergency relief train has been dispatched to assistMeanwhile Controller Railways Muhammad Kashif said that the train comprising nine coaches had around 500 passengers on board The train was stopped by armed men in Tunnel No 8 the controller saidThe area contains 17 tunnels following which the trains speed is often slowThe Balochistan government directed local authorities to take emergency measuresA provincial government statement said an emergency was imposed at Sibi hospital and ambulances and security forces were on their way to the siteIn the past the railway tracks in this area have been attacked by Baloch militants by using rockets or remotecontrolled bombs and the BLA claimed responsibility for most of the attacksIn October last year Pakistan Railways announced the restoration of train services between Quetta and Peshawar after a suspension of more than a month and a halfBalochistan has witnessed an uptick in terrorist attacks over the past year In November 2024 at least 26 people were killed and 62 injured after a suicide blast ripped through a Quetta Railway StationBalochistan bordering Iran and Afghanistan is home to a longrunning violent insurgency Baloch insurgent groups frequently carry out attacks targeting security personnel government projects and the USD 60 billion ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor CPEC projects in the oil and mineralrich provinceWith PTI Inputs