Asia

Strike erupts in Balochistan after violent clash between police, BYC protesters; leader Mahrang arrested

KARACHI — A shutter-down and wheel jam strike was observed in many parts of Pakistan’s restive Balochistan province on Saturday after violence broke out between police and the Baloch Yakjehti Committee’s (BYC) a day earlier. Many parts of the province including the capital city Quetta remained closed on the call of the BYC’s leader Mahrang […]

Asia

Pakistan army says 18 of 26 hostages killed in Balochistan train attack were soldiers

ISLAMABAD — Pakistan army on Friday said that 18 of the 26 hostages killed by Balochistan Liberation Army militants, who ambushed a train in Balochistan, were army and paramilitary soldiers. Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lieutenant Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, during a press conference with Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti, said 26 hostages were […]

Asia

Train hijack: China says ready to strengthen security cooperation with Pakistan

BEIJING — A concerned China on Wednesday condemned the hijacking of a passenger train by militants in Pakistan’s Balochistan province and expressed readiness to strengthen counter-terrorism cooperation with Islamabad. “We noted the reports and strongly condemn this terrorist attack,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a media briefing here while replying to a question […]

Asia

UN condemns hijacking of train in Pakistan, calls for immediate release of hostages

UNITED NATIONS — UN Secretary-General Antonio has strongly condemned the hijacking of a train in Pakistan’s Balochistan province and voiced concern about persons taken hostage, calling for their immediate release. The UN Chief stressed that attacks against civilians are unacceptable. “The Secretary-General strongly condemns the hijacking of a train in Pakistan’s Balochistan province,” a statement […]

Asia

Pakistan train hijack: 13 terrorists killed, 80 passengers rescued, operation on

KARACHI — At least 13 terrorists were killed and 80 passengers rescued by security forces after suspected Baloch militants hijacked a train in a tunnel in Pakistan’s restive Balochistan’s province on Tuesday, security officials said. The Jaffar Express, carrying approximately 500 passengers in nine bogies, was travelling from Quetta to Peshawar when armed men intercepted […]

Asia

Gunmen open fire on express train in Balochistan, BLA claims responsibility

KARACHI — Several passengers were injured when gunmen attacked a train in Pakistan’s troubled Balochistan on Tuesday, prompting the provincial government to direct authorities to take “emergency measures”. “There are reports of intense firing at a Jaffar Express, which was heading from Quetta to Peshawar, between Pehro Kunri and Gadalar,” Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind […]