The Pakistan Army has announced the completion of rescue operations for the Jaffar Express, which was hijacked in Balochistan. According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lt. Gen. Sharif Chaudhry, the clearance operation resulted in the elimination of all 33 attackers at the site.
Speaking in an interview with Dunya News, Chaudhry stated, “On March 11 in Bolan, terrorists targeted a railroad track around 1 p.m., blowing it up and stopping the Jaffar Express. According to railway officials, the train had 440 passengers.”
He confirmed that the army, air force, Frontier Corps (FC), and Special Services Group participated in the rescue operation, successfully recovering hostages. While no passengers were harmed in the final clearance operation, Chaudhry revealed that prior to it, “the number of passengers who fell victim to the barbarism of the terrorists is 21.”
Chaudhry further stated that the terrorists were in contact with their supporters and masterminds in Afghanistan via satellite phone during the operation. He added, “Around 100 passengers were safely rescued yesterday evening, and today, a large number of passengers have also been recovered.” He noted that the rescue process continued intermittently.
Earlier, the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attack and alleged that it had executed 50 additional captives on board the Jaffar Express.
Meanwhile, PTV, citing security officials, reported that at least 190 passengers had been freed following the hijacking. The hostage situation began on Tuesday near the Mashkaf Tunnel, approximately 157 kilometers from Quetta, when BLA rebels attacked the train and took more than 400 passengers hostage, including several security personnel.
There has been no official confirmation of the total number of casualties. However, officials told Dawn News that at least 30 people, including the locomotive driver and eight security personnel, had lost their lives in the gun battle between the forces and the attackers.
(ANI)
