The separatist Baloch Liberation Army claimed responsibility for attacking the train carrying 440 passengers in a tunnel in a remote part of Balochistan. Spokesman Jeeyand Baloch had said the group was ready to free passengers if authorities agree to release jailed militants.

More than 340 train passengers taken hostage by a militant group were freed yesterday by Pakistani security forces after a 30-hour siege, an army official told AFP, confirming that 27 off-duty soldiers were shot dead by militants.

Pakistan’s army says it has freed more than 300 hostages from a passenger train seized by militants in Balochistan province on Tuesday. ..