More than 100 passengers rescued from Pakistan train attack

The separatist group said it had bombed the track before storming the train in the remote Sibi district, claiming the train was under its control. BBC reported.

At least 16 militants have been killed and 104 passengers rescued as of Wednesday morning, local media reported.

Among those rescued are 17 injured passengers, who have been hospitalised for treatment.

The militants had threatened to kill hostages if authorities did not release Baloch political prisoners within 48 hours, according to local reports.

The rescue operation is ongoing.

There were reports of "intense firing" at the train, a Balochistan government spokesman told local newspaper Dawn on Tuesday.

A senior police official said it "remains stuck just before a tunnel surrounded by mountains", AFP news agency reports.

A senior army official confirmed to the BBC that there were more than 100 army personnel travelling from Quetta on the train.

The Pakistani authorities - as well as several Western countries, including the UK and US - have designated the BLA as a terrorist organisation.

It has waged a decades-long insurgency to gain independence and has launched numerous deadly attacks, often targeting police stations, railway lines and highways.

OnTuesday, the group warned of "severe consequences" if an attempt was made to rescue those it is holding.