Pakistani security forces have successfully rescued 155 hostages and eliminated 27 terrorists during an ongoing operation in the southwestern province of Balochistan. The crisis unfolded when armed militants attacked the Jaffar Express train in the Kacchi district on Tuesday.
The train, carrying approximately 450 passengers in nine carriages, was en route from Quetta to Peshawar when an unknown number of terrorists stormed onboard. The assailants took passengers hostage, splitting into small groups and using them as human shields to hinder rescue efforts.
“The terrorists, wearing explosive vests, have positioned suicide bombers near innocent hostages, making the rescue operation increasingly challenging,” security sources reported. They added that the militants are allegedly in contact with facilitators in Afghanistan, coordinating their actions as Pakistani forces intensify efforts to neutralize them.
Despite the difficult terrain and limited communication facilities in the mountainous region, security forces have tightened the noose around the remaining terrorists. “The operation will continue until the last terrorist is eliminated,” authorities affirmed.
In the early hours of Wednesday, 57 rescued passengers were transported to Quetta, while others received medical attention in the nearby town of Mach. Emergency measures have been enforced at Sibi and Civil Hospital Quetta to provide immediate aid to those affected.
Shahid Rind, spokesperson for the Balochistan provincial government, announced that an emergency has been declared, and all relevant institutions have been mobilized to manage the situation. A relief train, along with security reinforcements, was dispatched to the site to assist in the ongoing operation.
“The attack occurred in a mountainous region where communication is severely restricted due to the lack of mobile service,” explained Senior Pakistan Railways official Muhammad Kashif. “In the last contact with the train, the driver reported that an explosion hit the railway track, forcing the train to stop. Immediately after, the militants opened heavy fire, injuring the driver and several passengers.”
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the attack, praising the security forces for their bravery and professionalism. “We will continue this war against terrorism until this menace is completely eradicated from the country,” he stated. “Despite the difficult terrain, the morale of the security forces involved in the operation remains high.”
Sharif added that any attempts to spread unrest and chaos in Pakistan would be thwarted. “We will never allow the evil intentions of anti-state elements to succeed,” he declared.
The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), a proscribed terrorist organization, has claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement released on social media.
