The Pakistan Army has successfully ended the hijacking of the Jaffar Express, freeing 346 hostages while eliminating all 33 Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) militants involved in the attack. The siege, which began when militants derailed the train using explosives, resulted in the deaths of 21 passengers and four paramilitary Frontier Corps soldiers.
The Jaffar Express, carrying approximately 400 passengers across nine coaches, was en route from Quetta to Peshawar when it was attacked near the mountainous terrain of Gudalar and Piru Kunri, about 160 kilometers from Quetta. The BLA, which claimed responsibility for the attack, initially stated they had killed six soldiers, but later reports revealed that 27 off-duty soldiers aboard the train had been executed by the militants.
Pakistan Army spokesperson Lieutenant General Ahmad Sharif confirmed that the operation had concluded successfully on Wednesday evening. “The armed forces successfully concluded the operation by killing all terrorists and rescuing all passengers safely,” he told local media outlet Dunya News TV.
A senior army official speaking to AFP stated, “346 hostages were freed, and over 30 terrorists were killed during the operation. Twenty-seven off-duty soldiers who were passengers on the train were executed by militants, while one soldier was killed in the rescue operation.”
Pakistani Leadership Condemns the Attack
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his outrage and condolences in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter). “Spoke with Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti, who briefed me on the latest developments in the heinous terrorist attack on Jaffar Express. The entire nation is deeply shocked by this dastardly act and saddened by the loss of innocent lives—such cowardly acts will not shake Pakistan’s resolve for peace.”
Sharif further stated, “I offer my heartfelt condolences to the families of the martyrs. May Allah grant them the highest ranks in Jannah and bless those injured with a swift recovery. Dozens of the terrorists have been sent to hell.”
Escalation of Insurgent Attacks in Balochistan
This incident marks the first time the BLA or any insurgent group in Balochistan has resorted to hijacking a passenger train. The BLA has significantly increased attacks on security forces, infrastructure, and foreign entities in the province since last year.
In previous years, Baloch militants frequently targeted railway tracks in the region using rockets or remote-controlled bombs, with the BLA claiming responsibility for most of these attacks. The hijacking of the Jaffar Express represents a dangerous escalation in insurgent tactics, raising concerns over security in the province and the broader region.
Sources By Agencies
