India, March 11 -- Pakistani militants from the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) attacked the Peshawar-bound Jaffar Express train in the Bolan district, injuring the driver and holding over 400 passengers, including security forces, hostage in a deserted mountainous area.

Claiming responsibility for the attack, the group "warned of severe consequences" if an attempt is made to rescue the hostages. Pakistan's interior minister, Mohsin Naqvi, condemned the attack and said the government would not make any concessions to "beasts who fire on innocent passengers."

The BLA accused the Pakistani government of a forceful takeover of Balochistan by forcing their former king Khan of Kalat to sign the instrument of accession in March 1948. The militan...