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

Train hijackers in Pakistan’s Balochistan province killed a total of 31 security personnel and civilians before they were neutralised, according to Pakistan Army

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 said Friday that the death toll from a train hijacking in the southwestern region climbed to 30 as it accused India and Afghanistan of supporting militants responsible for the attack.

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.

ISLAMABAD — Pakistan’s neglected southwestern province of Balochistan has been the scene of a yearslong insurgency, with a dramatic uptick in attacks in recent years underscoring the struggles the government in Islamabad faces in dealing with myriad security threats.

Pakistan’s prime minister has commended the country’s armed forces for successfully rescuing 339 passengers after a deadly train hijacking by insurgents in the southwest

Pakistani security forces stormed a hijacked train on March 12, ending a day-long standoff with separatist militants. The attackers, Baloch separatist militants, had hijacked the Jaffar Express on March 11 after blowing up the railway track,