The standoff between fighters of the Baloch Liberation Army’s (BLA) Majeed Brigade and the Pakistani military, following a massive attack on the Jaffar Express passenger train in Bolan district, has finally ended after more than 24 hours, multiple reports indicated on Wednesday evening.
Sources confirmed that the military operation to neutralize the attackers and rescue the hostages has concluded. A clearance operation was successfully carried out, resulting in the rescue of at least 346 hostages and the elimination of around 50 attackers.
The train, which was traveling from Quetta, the capital of Balochistan, to Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), was hijacked by BLA militants, who took over 400 passengers hostage.
“Operation concluded, site cleared. All hostages released. Total rescued: 346—168 last night and 178 today. 50 terrorists eliminated,” confirmed a reliable security source.
Security forces stated that the militants were using women and children as human shields.
“The clearance operation was carried out with extreme caution and skill, saving many lives. The number of passengers who fell victim to the brutality of the terrorists is still being determined,” the source added.
It was also revealed that the handler and mastermind behind the attack was in active communication with the militants from Afghanistan.
The BLA separatist group claimed responsibility for the attack, making multiple unverified claims of releasing all women and children while keeping over 200 hostages—primarily individuals from Punjab province who were allegedly working with security forces. The BLA also claimed to have executed at least 20 abducted security personnel after checking their IDs.
On Tuesday, a large number of BLA militants forced the Jaffar Express to halt after blowing up the railway track in the Dhabar area of Bolan Pass, Balochistan.
Security forces and railway authorities confirmed that the train had come under attack near Tunnel No. 8 in the Bolan Pass.
The Pakistan military launched a clearance operation, reaching the site using cargo trains. Sources reported that hostages released in the initial stage had to walk at least seven kilometers to reach the nearest railway station, where they were received by security personnel.
“We came under attack from all sides. They were everywhere. We could hear gunshots coming from all directions. Passengers covered themselves with cloth to hide. It was horrific,” said one rescued hostage, recounting the ordeal.
“We walked for about three and a half hours—nearly seven kilometers—before reaching Panir railway station. The militants told us not to look back and to keep walking. Some women had to walk barefoot for hours to reach the station,” he added.
The attack has been condemned internationally, with the United States, Iran, and Germany among the countries denouncing the incident.
In response, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti chaired a high-level meeting on law and order, where officials briefed him on the Jaffar Express attack.
“They want to impose their ideology with guns and violence. Should we allow them to take people off buses and kill them?” questioned CM Sarfaraz Bugti.
Bugti highlighted that many of the passengers on the train were soldiers returning home on leave, emphasizing that they were unarmed.
“There are rules in war, and there are laws. What will history say—that innocent teachers, barbers, and doctors were murdered? Whoever commits acts of violence against the state, whoever takes up arms against it, will face unequivocal punishment,” he stated.
“Terrorists cannot occupy even an inch of our land. This attack is an attempt to create an impression of instability. The dream of anti-national elements to divide Pakistan like a cake will never be realized. We must eliminate all confusion and fight the war against terrorism with full determination,” he added.
(Inputs from IANS)
