The train hijacking in south-western Pakistan represents a major escalation in the region’s long-running insurgency.

The Balochistan Liberation Army claims it killed 6 security forces and seized a Pakistani passenger train carrying about 500 people in a remote, mountainous region.

The BLA is one of the largest militant outfits demanding independence for Balochistan. It is designated as a terrorist group by Pakistan as well as the US.

Pakistan army revealed that 18 out of 26 hostages killed in a Balochistan train ambush were army personnel. The Balochistan Liberation Army staged a dramatic siege, prompting a military intervention that rescued over 300 passengers and eliminated 33 terrorists.

A passenger train, Jaffar Express, was attacked in southwestern Pakistan's Balochistan province on Tuesday, injuring the train driver and leading to hundreds of passengers being taken hostage. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA),

Pakistan's military spokesman said on Friday the death toll in a train hijacking in the country's southwestern mountains had risen to 31 and he repeated accusations that neighbouring India and Afghanistan backed the militants who carried it out.

Hostages freed after a day-long ordeal following a BLA militant attack on a Pakistan train recalled crouching on the floor for hours before their release.

The driver of Jaffar Express, which was hijacked by Balochistan Liberation Army militants, has described the terrifying moment when the insurgents attacked the train as survivors praised the military for their rescue.