104 hostages rescued from Zafar Express in Pakistan, 16 militants killed

The Pakistan army has rescued 104 passengers who were taken hostage by militants on the Zafar Express train in Balochistan. At least 16 militants were killed during the operation.

According to the latest reports from Pakistani media outlet Dawn News, the army is still conducting operations in the area. Earlier on Tuesday, militants stopped the train by setting off an explosion on the railway track and opening fire.

Dawn News reported that security forces launched an operation in the Bolan district of Balochistan to free the hostages. Among the 104 rescued passengers, there are 58 men, 31 women, and 15 children. Additionally, 17 injured passengers have been taken to a local hospital for treatment. The army is still working to rescue other passengers.

The Zafar Express was traveling from Quetta to Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, carrying more than 400 passengers in its nine compartments.

According to security sources, after the military operation, the attackers split into small groups. The militants are using satellite phones to maintain international communication.

It has been reported that the militants are in contact with their masterminds in Afghanistan and are using women and children as human shields. The rugged terrain of the area is making the operation more difficult.

Before attacking the train, the militants detonated a bomb on the railway track. Security forces reported that they also fired at the locomotive, injuring the train driver. The train came to a halt just before a tunnel. The militants took control of the train in a remote, mountainous region near the Afghanistan and Iran borders. There were more than 450 passengers on board, including women and children.