A gun battle was underway between security forces and heavily armed militants who claimed to have taken 214 passengers hostage after attacking a train in southwestern Pakistan on Tuesday. The outlawed Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), in a statement to local media, claimed responsibility for the brazen attack.

Separatist militants have taken 35 passengers hostage after attacking a train in southwestern Pakistan, and nearly 350 other passengers are believed to be safe, local police said on Tuesday.

Police say at least three people were injured in the attack and it is unclear how many people are being held hostage.

Civilians have released from the train in Balochistan, militants claim, while military personnel are being held hostage

Separatist militants in Pakistan attacked a train, taking 35 hostages. The Baloch Liberation Army claims the attack, threatening hostages' lives if demands are unmet. With mounting casualties and ongoing military operations,

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 Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) which seeks independence for Balochistan from Pakistan in a statement said it took control of a train and kept over 180 passengers, most of them Pakistani soldiers, hostages.

In southwestern Pakistan, separatist militants from the Baloch Liberation Army have taken hostages after attacking a train. Nearly 350 passengers are safe, but 214 are held hostage. Security forces are responding with an operation.

Pakistan's military spokesman said on Friday the death toll in a train hijacking in the country's southwestern mountains had risen to 31 and he repeated accusations that neighbouring India and Afghanistan backed the militants who carried it out.