[Today's Prayer] Pakistani rebels hijack train, take hundreds of passengers hostage

Pakistani Daily Dawn and other media reported on the 12th (local time) that rebels hijacked a train in southwestern Pakistan, took hundreds of passengers hostage, and are in a standoff with security forces.

According to the report, the train that departed from Quetta, Balochistan Province, Pakistan the previous day and was heading to Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, was attacked by armed rebels in the Mashkaf Tunnel, about 160 km from Quetta.

A total of 500 passengers were on board the train, which consisted of nine cars.

Dozens of armed rebels blew up the railroad tracks and took control of the stopped train by shooting at it. Several people were reportedly shot and killed in the process.

(Omitted)

The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the incident in a statement.

They said that there were currently 245 passengers on board the train, that they shot down a Pakistani drone, and killed 30 soldiers who were deployed. They also claimed that women, children, the elderly, and residents of Balochistan Province among the passengers were safely released.

The BLA also threatened to execute the hostages if the Pakistani security forces continued to intervene and their demands were not met, demanding the release of political prisoners and independence activists currently in custody in Balochistan within 48 hours.

However, the BLA and other rebels in the region claim independence, claiming that the Pakistani government and foreign capital are exploiting local resources, and are carrying out terrorist activities targeting outsiders.

The Pakistani army is also responding with a large-scale suppression operation, and bloodshed continues.

Source: Yonhap News

For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

We hear the sad news that rebels in southwestern Pakistan hijacked a train carrying about 500 people, took hundreds of passengers hostage, and took control by shooting, killing several people.

Please visit the souls and bereaved families who have suffered this unfortunate tragedy and comfort them with your hand, and may the souls held hostage be quickly released and safely returned to their families.

Beloved Lord, please have mercy on the Pakistani people who are suffering amidst the endless conflict between government forces and rebels in Pakistan, and shine the light of true life so that they may experience complete reconciliation in Jesus Christ.

We hope that the Pakistani people will also look upon the sinfulness of humanity through this incident and discover that we cannot be justified by any actions during this Ramadan, and be led to Jesus Christ, the true truth.

Please let the Pakistani church mourn and look after the bereaved families who are grieving over the unexpected death of their loved ones, and let them convey to the bereaved families the love of God who grants us eternal life.

When the Pakistani church sees these incidents, may they wake up and pray more for the people, and during this Ramadan, may all people come forward and pray and wage a spiritual warfare, shouting that salvation is only in the Lamb, Jesus Christ!

So may the Pakistani people rise up and lead all people to the true light of life and live for the eternal kingdom of God!