India, March 12 -- Pakistani troops freed dozens of train passengers taken hostage by Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) armed militants in the country's southwest on Tuesday.

However, hundreds more are still being held in the deadly siege.

Heavy gunfire ensued between security forces and the militants.

"Efforts are ongoing to ensure the safe release of the remaining passengers. The terrorists have been surrounded, and the operation will continue until the last terrorist is neutralized."

A nearby railway station in Mach has been turned into a makeshift hospital to receive some of the wounded.

The driver of the train, a police officer, and a soldier were all killed in the assault, according to paramedic Nazim Farooq and railway official Muh...