Pakistani security forces have freed 155 passengers from a hijacked train as the operation to rescue the remaining hostages continues in the south-western province of Balochistan, officials said on Wednesday.

The train, which was carrying around 450 passengers, including army personnel and their families, was targeted by more than 100 gunmen from the separatist Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) on Tuesday afternoon.

“A full-scale military operation is underway in which 27 terrorists have been killed,” security sources said.

“Militants were using the passengers as shields and they have placed suicide bombers wearing explosive vests dangerously close to the hostages,” said a security official, who is not authorised to speak on the record.

Pakistani elite commandos, backed by air power, have launched a massive operation after the train was hijacked in the remote Sibi district.

Local media reported that at least 10 people, including the train driver, were killed in the gun battle.

The total number of casualties among soldiers, passengers and militants remains unclear after several hours of clashes.

The BLA, which has previously targeted trains and buses carrying security personnel, claimed responsibility for the attack.

The group demanded a prisoner exchange and threatened to kill hostages if the operation continued.

Violence in Balochistan has surged as China and Pakistan advance the second phase of a major infrastructure project linking Chinese cities to the Arabian Sea.

The BLA and local political groups accuse both governments of exploiting the region’s resources through coercive policies.

(dpa/NAN)