Gunmen attack Pakistani express train, at least 3 killed

Gunmen attack Pakistani express train, at least 3 killed

2011-08-29 22:16:03 GMT+7 (ICT)

QUETTA, PAKISTAN (BNO NEWS) -- A group of gunmen attacked an express train in Pakistan on Sunday afternoon, killing at least three people, local media reported on Monday.

The attack happened at around 12.45 p.m. local time on Sunday when a group of armed men attacked a Quetta Express train as it was passing through Bolan's mountainous region near Ladipul, which is located about 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) from Mach and around 70 kilometers (43.5 miles) southeast of Quetta. The train was heading to Peshawar.

Pakistan Railways officials told the Pakistan Tribune that the attackers had positioned themselves near the railway tracks on both sides of the region's mountainous area. As the train approached, the assailants opened fire and launched rockets for around 10 minutes.

Three people died of gunshot wounds while 25 people were injured to area hospitals, where an emergency was declared. Witnesses said passengers were running frantically in search of a safe hiding spot.

The fatal victims were identified as Abdul Majeed, of Bahawalpur, Maqool Ahmed, from Vehari, and Rahim Bukhash, from the Naseerabad district of Balochistan.

A man allegedly linked to the attack was arrested by Frontier Corps (FC) Balochistan. An FC spokesman said a motorcycle used during the attack was also seized while the second attacker is expected to be detained soon.

The defunct Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attack after its spokesman contacted media offices from a satellite phone, local media reported.

Earlier this month, on August 19, at least 53 people were killed and more than 120 others were injured when a teenage suicide bomber blew himself up inside a mosque in northwest Pakistan during Friday prayers.

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