The train hijacking in south-western Pakistan represents a major escalation in the region’s long-running insurgency.

A major security crisis unfolded in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province on Tuesday when separatist militants attacked the Jaffar Express, a

The attack was swiftly claimed by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), which released a video showing an explosion on the railway track.

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.

The BLA said they gave the Pakistan Army 48 hours to exchange prisoners of war, but since they did not heed their warning, they killed the hostages