Separatist militants killed at least 10 people after hijacking a train carrying hundreds of passengers in Pakistan’s southwestern province of Balochistan on Tuesday, according to government and railway officials.

Terrorists in explosive vests have reportedly threatened Pakistan train passengers' lives if officials refuse to release imprisoned militants.

Karachi/Islamabad: Security forces rescued 190 passengers from a hijacked train, killing 30 Baloch militants in Pakistan's restive Balochistan, as they continued to battle heavily-armed

The militants, Baloch ethnic fighters, said they would kill dozens of seized security personnel if the Pakistani government did not agree to a prisoner exchange.

Security forces rescued 190 passengers from a hijacked train, killing 30 Baloch militants in Pakistan’s restive Balochistan, as they continued to battle heavily-armed insurgents for a second day on Wednesday.

QUETTA, Pakistan (AP) — Pakistani security forces exchanged gunfire on Wednesday with hundreds of separatist militants as they sought to free about 300 hostages aboard a train in the country’s rugged southwest, officials said.

Helicopters were backing up Pakistani forces in the rugged region, said spokesman Shahid Rind, describing the attack as "an act of terrorism."

At least 16 militants were killed as security forces launched a counter-operation, officials said. The number of civilian casualties was not clear but at least 10 people, including the train driver and security personnel, were reported dead. Several passengers sustained injuries in the attack.

Pakistan’s prime minister has commended the country’s armed forces for successfully rescuing 339 passengers after a deadly train hijacking by insurgents in the southwest