Passengers describe “Scenes of Judgment Day” after abduction

Passengers, who were released from a train seized from armed fighters, spoke of “scenes of the day day”, which unfolded aboard Jaffar Express in Pakistan in Belokistan.

“We were holding our breath throughout the firing without knowing what would happen further,” said Ishak Noor, who was one of those on board, before the BBC.

He was one of more than 400 passengers traveling from Quette to Peshawar on Tuesday when the Belokistan liberation army (BLA) attacked and took a number of hostages. The train driver was among several reported injuries.

Military sources say 155 passengers were released and 27 fighters were killed. There is no independent confirmation of these figures. Rescue operations continue.

Security forces say they have deployed hundreds of troops to save other passengers. Authorities also deployed helicopters and special forces staff.

BLA warned of “serious consequences” if an attempt is made to save the other hostages.

More than a dozen released passengers were taken to a hospital for treatment.

Security reports say some of the fighters may have left the train by taking an unknown number of passengers with them in the surrounding mountain area.

At least 100 of those on the train were members of the security forces, staff said.

Mohammed Ashraf, who was traveling from Queta to Lahore to visit a family, was among a group of passengers who managed to get the train late Tuesday.

“There was a lot of fear among the passengers. It was the scene of the day,” he said.

Then the group went for about four hours to the next railway station. Several of the men wore the greener passengers on their shoulders.

“We got to the station with great difficulties because we were tired and had children and women with us,” he said.

G -Noor, who was traveling 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 a child in the shooting.

“If a bullet comes to us, it will hit us, not the kids,” he said.

Mohammed, who was in the third carriage of the train, recalled the “unforgettable” attack and passengers affected by panic.

“The attackers spoke to each other in Balochi and their leader repeatedly told them to” follow “, especially to security staff, to make sure that (the attackers) were not losing them,” he said.

The attackers began to release some residents of Belokistan, as well as women, children and elderly passengers, on Tuesday evening, he said, adding that he was released when he told them he was a resident of the city of turbat in Belokistan and they saw that he had children and women with him.

However, it is not clear how many passengers still hold hostages.

Security forces claim that they have started a major operation to save other passengers, with hundreds of troops. Authorities also deployed helicopters and special forces staff.

On Wednesday, the BBC saw dozens of wooden coffins to load at Queta Railway Station. The railway officer said they were empty and transported to collect any possible victims.

Bla is led decades of riots to get independence And many deadly attacks have begun, often focused on police departments, railways and highways.

It is reported that operations to fight the uprising in the impoverished Belokistan of the army and the security forces of Pakistan have seen thousands of people disappear without a trace of the early 2000s. Thehe Security forces have been charged with crimes including torture and out -of -court murdersclaims that deny.

The Pakistani authorities – as well as several Western countries, including the United Kingdom and the United States – have identified the group of terrorist organization.

The Pakistan Human Rights Commission said it was “seriously concerned” by the abduction of the train.

“We strongly call on all relevant stakeholders to create an urgent basis for the rights, the pro-Jorah consensus on the issues facing the citizens in Belokistan, and to find a peaceful political decision,” says XS

The General Secretary of the United Nations Antonio Guterres “strongly condemned” the siege of the train and also called for the immediate release of other passengers.

Additional reporting from Azadeh Moshiri