"Checked IDs, shot soldiers": survivors of the Pakistani train hijack describe the horror

On Tuesday, freed hostages from a train hijack in southwest Pakistan described how they had to travel for hours over difficult mountainous terrain to get out, leaving behind relatives who had been split up. The nightmare started when militants who were fighting for the independence of Balochistan detonated a railroad track in a remote area of the country, stopping the train and capturing more than 450 passengers.

"I'm at a loss for words to explain how we got away. Muhammad Bilal was quoted by AFP as stating, "It was terrifying." At least three persons were killed in an explosion that occurred aboard the Jafar Express when Bilal and his mother were on board.

Despite the liberation of over 100 captives, militants continue to control the train. At the Mach train station, which has been transformed into a temporary hospital to care for the injured, passenger Allahditta told AFP, "I heard an explosion, followed by gunshots, as militants stormed the train."