Security forces have successfully rescued 155 passengers and eliminated 27 terrorists as a large-scale operation entered its second day following the hijacking of the Jaffer Express near Balochistan’s Bolan district, state media reported on Wednesday.
The unprecedented hostage crisis began on Tuesday near the Mashkaf Tunnel, about 157 kilometers from Quetta, when heavily armed militants launched an attack on the Jaffer Express, taking over 400 passengers, including security personnel, hostage.
Hostage Rescue and Casualties
According to Radio Pakistan, security forces have managed to free 155 hostages, including women and children, while efforts are still underway to secure the release of the remaining captives. Officials confirmed that 37 injured individuals had been shifted to medical facilities for treatment.
Authorities stated that the terrorists involved in the attack were in communication with their facilitators in Afghanistan. Reports suggest that the attackers had deployed suicide bombers among hostages, with some militants wearing explosive vests. Women and children were taken captive at three different locations, making the rescue operation particularly complex and requiring extreme caution.
Security Operation in Bolan Pass
Despite the rugged terrain, security forces launched an intensive operation in the Dhadar area of Bolan Pass to neutralize the terrorists and secure the hostages. While the total number of casualties remains uncertain, at least ten people, including the train’s driver and eight security personnel, have lost their lives during clashes between security forces and militants.
This attack marks the first time in Pakistan’s history that an entire train has been hijacked, with passengers taken hostage. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a banned militant group, claimed responsibility for the assault, alleging they had captured a large number of people while releasing some women and children. However, these claims remain unverified.
Government Response and National Condemnation
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) expressed deep concern over the crisis, urging the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. In a statement, the HRCP called for a peaceful political resolution to Balochistan’s issues and condemned violence against unarmed civilians by both state and non-state actors.
National leaders, including President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, have strongly condemned the attack. President Zardari stated that the Baloch people reject those who target innocent civilians, while PM Shehbaz labeled the perpetrators as “beast terrorists” who deserve no leniency.
Passengers Evacuated and Train Details
By Tuesday night, authorities had successfully evacuated 104 rescued passengers to the Paneer railway station. This group included 58 men, 31 women, and 15 children, who were later transported to Mach via a relief train. Rescue efforts to recover the remaining hostages are still ongoing.
Railway officials revealed that while 750 passengers were originally booked for the Jaffer Express, approximately 450 people actually boarded the train when it departed from Quetta. Reports indicate that over 200 security personnel were traveling on the train at the time of the attack.
Emergency Measures and Witness Accounts
In response to the crisis, the Balochistan government declared an emergency at Sibi hospital, dispatching ambulances and security reinforcements to the affected area. Government spokesperson Shahid Rind confirmed that emergency measures had been enacted, with all relevant institutions actively involved in handling the situation.
Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry revealed that many passengers had been forcibly removed from the train and were being used as human shields by the militants. He emphasized that security forces were advancing cautiously to avoid further casualties.
Eyewitnesses recounted the terrifying attack, with an elderly rescued passenger stating that a rocket launcher hit the train’s engine, followed by heavy gunfire. He described the explosions as deafening and horrifying. Another elderly woman recalled how she and her husband escaped on foot to a nearby railway station before catching a cargo train to Mach.
Mohammad Ashraf, another rescued passenger traveling from Quetta to Lahore, reported seeing at least six or seven people killed during the attack. He described the atmosphere as tense, with all passengers too afraid to speak. He further revealed that the terrorists separated elderly men and women from the others, allowing them to leave but forcing them to walk approximately 7-8 kilometers to the Paneer station.
Attack Details and Tactical Response
Railway officials detailed that the Jaffer Express, carrying 450 passengers in nine bogies, left Quetta for Peshawar at 9 a.m. At around 1 p.m., authorities received reports that the train had come under heavy attack between the Paneer and Peshi railway stations, near Railway Tunnel No. 8, close to Mashkaf.
Despite the Quetta-Jacobabad N65 highway running parallel to the Bolan railway line, the two diverge near Mashkaf, with the railway track cutting through mountainous terrain before reconnecting with the main road near Mach.
Security officials confirmed that the terrorists fired rockets at the locomotive, forcing it to stop, before opening fire on passengers. The train’s driver sustained critical injuries, and a fierce gunfight erupted between security personnel and the attackers. Reports suggest that the militants executed several security personnel before taking control of the train.
Terrorists were seen checking passengers’ identities, selectively taking hostages, and retreating into mountainous hideouts. They also detonated explosives on the railway track, further complicating rescue operations.
Current Situation and Ongoing Operation
The Mashkaf Tunnel, located 157 kilometers from Quetta and around 21 kilometers from Sibi, remains the epicenter of the security operation. Reports indicate that the terrorists have split into smaller groups, making it harder for security forces to track them down.
Injured passengers have been transported to nearby hospitals, while additional security reinforcements continue to arrive at the scene. Officials stated that the rescue mission remains ongoing, with security forces intensifying efforts to safely recover remaining hostages and neutralize the remaining militants.
The situation remains highly sensitive, and authorities are exercising utmost caution to ensure the safe release of all captive passengers while eliminating the threat posed by the terrorists.
