Pakistan: Security Forces Claim Jaffar Express Train Operation Over; 346 Hostages Rescued

The Pakistani military ended the over 24-hour standoff with Baloch Liberation Army’s (BLA) Majeed Brigade on Wednesday evening, successfully completing a clearance operation that rescued 346 hostages and eliminated around 50 attackers.

BLA militants hijacked the Jaffar Express, which was traveling from Quetta to Peshawar.

Over 400 passengers were taken hostage after militants blew up the track in the Dhabar area of Bolan Pass, forcing the train to stop near Tunnel No 8.

Military Operation Rescues Hostages

Notably, security forces confirmed that the operation concluded with 168 hostages rescued on the first day and 178 on the second. The militants used women and children as human shields, which complicated the rescue.

“The clearance operation was carried out with extreme caution and skill, saving many lives,” said a security official.

Furthermore, sources said the mastermind behind the attack coordinated with the militants from Afghanistan. Reports revealed that BLA executed 20 security personnel after checking their IDs.

Meanwhile, a rescued hostage described the horror. “We came under attack from all sides. Gunshots were everywhere. It was terrifying.”

Survivors walked nearly seven kilometers to Panir railway station, where security forces received them.

“We walked for over three hours. The militants told us not to look back. Some women walked barefoot for hours to reach Panir station,” another survivor recalled.

BLA Claims Responsibility For Attack

Subsequently, the BLA claimed responsibility and alleged they released all women and children while holding over 200 male hostages.

In response, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti condemned the attack.

“They want to impose their ideology with violence. Should we allow them to take people off buses and kill them?” he asked.

Bugti said many passengers were soldiers returning home on leave. “They were unarmed. Terrorists can’t occupy even an inch of our land. We must fight terrorism without hesitation,” he added.

Importantly, he questioned the militants’ actions. “What will history say? That innocent teachers, barbers, and doctors were murdered?”

On the other hand, security forces and railway authorities confirmed the attack happened near Tunnel No 8 of the Bolan Pass. The military reached the site using cargo trains.

Hostages released in the first stage had to walk seven kilometers to reach safety.

The attack, moreover, drew condemnation from the United States, Iran, and Germany.

Also Read: Pakistan Train Hijack: 155 Hostages Rescued, 27 BLA Separatists Killed