Pakistani security forces battle to free about 300 hostages aboard a hijacked train

Pakistani security forces exchanged gunfire on Wednesday with hundreds of separatist militants as they sought to free about 300 hostages aboard a train in the country’s rugged southwest, officials said.Security forces were being cautious as officials said the hostages were surrounded by militants wearing vests loaded with explosives.Government spokesman Shahid Rind said Pakistani, who were being backed up by helicopters in the remote region, were being cautious because of the situation.

He described the attack “an act of terrorism.”At least 27 militants have been killed and security forces rescued more than 150 of the 450 people who were on the train when it was hijacked on Tuesday as it entered a tunnel in Bolan, a district in restive Balochistan province.It was the first time militants have ever carried out such an attack.The Baloch Liberation Army group has claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was open to negotiations to swap prisoners.

So far, there has been no response or any indication from the government to the offer from the insurgents.The BLA regularly targets Pakistani security forces, but has also in the past attacked civilians, including Chinese nationals working on multibillion-dollar projects related to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, or CPEC.Pakistan hosts thousands of Chinese workers as part of Beijing’s multibillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative, which is building major infrastructure projects.Authorities said the rescued included women and children, while an undisclosed number of security personnel have been killed, according to three security officials who spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to speak to media.According to the officials, the train was partially inside the tunnel when the militants blew up the tracks and immobilized the engine and its nine coaches.The driver was critically wounded by gunfire and guards aboard the train were attack, although the officials gave no details about...