The travelers who were freed from the train who seized armed militants spoke of the “Scenes of the Trial Day”, which took place on the Jaffar Express ship in Pakistani Province of Balochistan.
“We kept our breath while shooting, not knowing what would happen next,” said Ishaq Noor, who was one of those on board, told the BBC.
He was one of more than 400 passengers who traveled from Quette to Peshawar on Tuesday when the Balokistan Liberation Army (bla) attacked and took numerous hostages. The train driver was among several reported injured.
Military sources claim that 155 passengers were released and 27 militants were killed. There is no independent confirmation of these figures. Rescue operations continue.
Security forces say they have arranged hundreds of trunk to save the remaining passengers. Authorities also arranged helicopters and special forces staff.
Blah warned of “severe consequences” if the remaining hostage was tried.
More than a dozen liberated passengers were taken to a hospital for treatment.
Reports citing security officers say that some of the militants may have left the train, taking an unknown number of passengers with them to the surrounding mountain area.
At least 100 those on the train were members of the security forces, the officials said.
Muhammad Ashraf, who traveled from Quette to Lahore to visit his family, was among a group of passengers who managed to release the train late on Tuesday.
“There was a lot of fear among passengers. It was a scene of a trial day,” he said.
The group then walked almost four hours to the next train station. Several men wore weaker passengers on their shoulders.
“With great difficulty we reached the station because we were tired and there were children and women with us,” he said.
Mr. Noor, who traveled with his wife and two children, said the initial explosion on the train was “so intense” that one of his children fell from the seat.
He and his wife tried to protect one child in the midst of the shooting.
“If a bullet comes, they’ll hit us, not children,” he said.
Mushtaq Muhammad, who was on the third train transport, recalled the “unforgettable” attack and passengers affected by panic.
“The attackers talked to each other in Balochi, and their leader repeatedly told them to” watch “especially on the security staff to be sure [the attackers] Don’t lose them, “he said.
On Tuesday night, the attackers began to release some residents of Balochistan, as well as women, children and older passengers, said Mr. Ishaq, adding that he was released when he told them that the Turbat resident was in Balochistan, and they saw that he had children and women with him.
However, it is still not clear how much passenger is still being held as a hostage.
Security forces say they have launched a major surgery to rescue the remaining passengers, arranging hundreds of troops. Authorities also arranged helicopters and special forces staff.
On Wednesday, the BBC saw dozens of wooden coffins loaded at Quetta train station. The railway official said they were empty and were transported to collect all possible victims.
‘Seriously worried’
The blah led decades rebellion to obtain independence And he started numerous deadly attacks, often aiming for police cells, railway lines and highways.
Operations against the rebellion in the impoverished Balokistan by the Pakistani army, and security forces reportedly saw that thousands of people disappear without a trace from the early 2000s. AND Security forces are charged with crimes, including torture and out -of -court murderaccusations that deny.
Pakistani authorities – as well as several Western countries, including the UK and the United States – determined the group of terrorist organization.
The Pakistan Human Rights Commission said he was “seriously concerned” by the train abduction.
“We strongly invite all relevant stakeholders to force an emergency consensus based on the rights about the issues faced by citizens in Balochistan and find a peaceful, political solution,” it said that Ox statement.
United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres “strongly condemned” the siege of the train and also called for the current release of the remaining passengers.
Additional azadeh moshiri reporting
