The death toll from a militant hijacking of a train in Pakistan's southwestern mountains has risen to 31 soldiers, staff and civilians, the military said on Friday as it accused India and Afghanistan of backing the insurgents.

Baloch rebels claiming to have killed 214 hostages on a hijacked train in Pakistan. However, Pakistani forces responded with an operation that resulted in the rescue of 354 passengers.

Director General Lieutenant Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said 26 hostages were killed by the terrorists before the start of the army operation.