People carry the coffins of railwaymen killed by armed militants who ambushed a train in the remote mountainous area of Balochistan province, during their funeral in Quetta on March 13, 2025. (Photo by Banaras KHAN / AFP)
Islamabad: At least 31 people were killed during a two-day train siege in southwestern Pakistan carried out by militants, the country's army spokesman said on Friday.
Eighteen soldiers and paramilitary personnel, three railway employees, and five civilians were killed during the hostage situation that lasted over 30 hours, lieutenant general Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said during a presser.
Additionally, five soldiers died as "part of the operation" launched by security forces to retake control after Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) separatists stopped the Jaffar Express train with a bomb, Chaudhry added.
"There are many injured and the death toll may rise," he said.
Authorities announced on Wednesday evening that "33 terrorists" who participated in the assault were also killed.
"More than 340 passengers were freed," Mir Sarfraz Bugti, the chief minister of Balochistan said during the presser in Islamabad.
