Passengers describe 'doomsday scenes' on hijacked train
BBC Urdu
Reporting from Quetta
Kelly Ng
EPA
Passengers who made it to safety spoke of fear and panic on the train
Passengers who were freed from a train seized by armed militants have spoken of "doomsday scenes" that unfolded on board the Jaffar Express in Pakistan's Balochistan province.
"We held our breath throughout the firing, not knowing what would happen next," Ishaq Noor, who was one of those on board, told the BBC.
He was one of more than 400 passengers travelling from Quetta to Peshawar on Tuesday when the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) attacked and took a number hostage. The train driver was among several reported injured.
Military sources claim 155 passengers have been freed and 27 militants killed. There is no independent confirmation of those figures. Rescue operations are continuing.
Security forces say they have deployed hundreds of troops to rescue the remaining passengers. Authorities have also deployed helicopters and special forces personnel.
The BLA has warned of "severe consequences" if an attempt is made to rescue hostages.
At least 100 of those on the train were members of the security forces, officials have said. It unclear how many passengers are still being held hostage - more than a dozen of those freed were taken to hospital for treatment.
Reports quoting security officials say some of the militants may have left the train, taking an unknown number of passengers with them into the surrounding mountainous area.
On Wednesday, the BBC saw dozens of wooden coffins being loaded at Quetta railway station. A railway official said they were empty and being transported to collect any possible casualties.
Reuters
Security forces say they have deployed hundreds of troops to rescue the remaining passengers.
Muhammad Ashraf, who was travelling from Quetta to Lahore to visit family, was among a group of passengers who managed to disembark the train late on Tuesday.
"There was a lot of fear among the passengers. It was a scene of doomsday," he said.
The group then walked for nearly four hours to the next railway station. Several of the men carried the weaker passengers on their shoulders.
"We reached the station with great difficulty, because we were tired and there were children and women with us," he said.
Mr Noor, who was travelling 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 each tried to shield one child amidst the gunfire.
"If a bullet comes our way, it will hit us and not the children," he said.
Getty Images
Some passengers who managed to flee walked for nearly four hours to the next railway station
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