Director General Lieutenant Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said 26 hostages were killed by the terrorists before the start of the army operation.

The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claims responsibility for executing 214 hostages in Balochistan, citing Pakistan`s refusal to negotiate. The operation, dubbed `Darra-e-Bolan`, is ongoing.

The train hijacking in south-western Pakistan represents a major escalation in the region’s long-running insurgency.

At least 31 people were killed during a two-day train siege in southwestern Pakistan carried out by militants, the country's army spokesman said on Friday. Eighteen soldiers and paramilitary personnel,

The Balochistan Liberation Army claims it killed 6 security forces and seized a Pakistani passenger train carrying about 500 people in a remote, mountainous region.

The death toll from a militant hijacking of a train in Pakistan's southwestern mountains has risen to 31 soldiers, staff and civilians, the military said on Friday as it accused India and Afghanistan of backing the insurgents.

The BLA is one of the largest militant outfits demanding independence for Balochistan. It is designated as a terrorist group by Pakistan as well as the US.

Insurgents who attacked a passenger train carrying 440 passengers in restive southwestern Pakistan killed 21 hostages before

Pakistan freed 190 hijacked train passengers held hostage Wednesday as the battle to free remaining hostages held by the militant group Baloch Liberation Army continued.

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.