Islamabad, March 12 (NationPress) Pakistani security forces have successfully eliminated at least 16 militants during a mission aimed at rescuing hostages following a train assault in the Kacchi district of Balochistan, located in the southwest region of Pakistan, according to security sources.

The sources informed Xinhua early Wednesday that the military operation segmented the militants into smaller factions, leading to a fierce exchange of gunfire between the security forces and the assailants.

As per the reports, the security personnel managed to liberate 104 hostages from the militants, comprising 58 men, 31 women, and 15 children. At least 17 injured passengers have been transported to a nearby medical facility, with ongoing efforts to secure the safe release of the remaining captives.

"Additional security troops are actively engaged in the operation. The grip around the militants has been tightened, and the operation will persist until every terrorist is neutralized," the sources stated.

Previously, official sources disclosed that a group of armed assailants opened fire on the Jaffar Express passenger train, which was carrying approximately 450 passengers, resulting in several injuries, as reported by Xinhua news agency.

Senior Pakistan Railways official Muhammad Kashif informed Xinhua that the train was en route from the southwestern city of Quetta to the northwestern city of Peshawar when the militants launched their attack.

"The assault occurred in a mountainous area where communication is severely hampered due to the absence of mobile service. In the last communication from the train, the driver indicated that an explosion struck the railway track, causing the train to halt. Immediately after, the assailants unleashed heavy gunfire, injuring the driver and multiple passengers," Kashif stated.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the train attack vehemently, commending the security forces for their bravery and professional capabilities in addressing the terrorists.

"Despite the challenging terrain, the morale of the security forces involved in the operation remains elevated. We will persist in this fight against terrorism until this threat is completely eradicated from our nation," the Prime Minister declared.

Sharif further asserted that any conspiracy intended to incite unrest and chaos in Pakistan would be thwarted, emphasizing, "we will never permit the malevolent intentions of anti-state elements to prevail."

The outlawed terrorist group Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for the assault via a statement on a social media platform.