militant

The militants had threatened to kill hostages if authorities did not release Baloch political prisoners within 48 hours, according to local reports.

As more security forces were surrounded and killed by pro-Assad militants, the government called for reinforcements, drawing in factions and armed gunmen.

Military sources claim 155 passengers have been freed and 27 militants killed.

A train carrying hundreds of passengers has been attacked and halted by armed militants in Pakistan's Balochistan region.

But the militant group now has to contend with an aftermath that for many Lebanese, including some Hezbollah partisans, looks very much like defeat.