Jaffar Express attack: 16 terrorists killed, 104 hostages rescued by security forces

[JeremyVickers]

A deadly train attack in Pakistan’s southwestern province of Balochistan has heightened tensions between security forces and Baloch separatists. The attack on the Jaffar Express, which was carrying more than 400 passengers including security personnel, was claimed by a militant group, the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), that is fighting for independence.

The Attack on Jaffar Express​

The Jaffar Express, which was en route from Quetta to Peshawar, was targeted as it moved through a series of tunnels in the mountainous Bolan Pass area, close to the city of Sibi in southwestern Pakistan, around 160 km from Quetta. The attack came at about 1 pm (08:00 GMT) on Tuesday, with the BLA saying it had killed at least six security personnel and blown up a railway track to stop the train. The group also said they had taken multiple passengers hostage.

According to railway authorities, around 70 passengers including women, children and aged persons who walked along the rail tracks reached to Panir railway station, around 6km away from the attack site. But the fate of the other passengers remains unclear.

Government and Military Action​

The Pakistani military has initiated what it calls a “complex operation” to deal with the crisis, though there are no official statements yet. The Interior Minister, Mohsin Naqvi, condemned the attack vehemently and called the perpetrators “beasts,” saying that no leniency should be given to them.

Hospitals in Sibi and Quetta were put on high alert, fearing casualties, although no injured passengers had been reported late Tuesday night. Officialdom has also pointed to weak mobile service in the area as a key difficulty in getting updates.

Security forces suspect the militants are using women and children as human shields, making military action more complicated. And officials had warned of an online disinformation campaign to induce panic.

Old Conflict of Baluchistan​

Balochistan, the largest and least developed province in Pakistan, is rich in natural resources, including gas and copper. The region has long been the focus of a separatist movement, with the BLA and other insurgent groups seeking independence.

The separatists accuse the Pakistani state of human rights violations, which they say includes enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings. Islamabad, in turn, regards the BLA as a terrorist outfit and has cracked down on its activities.

104 Hostages Rescued and 16 Terrorists Neutralized​

Security forces have rescued 104 people held hostage by the terrorists who had taken the Jaffar Express hostage. The rescued passengers include 58 male, 31 female and 15 children. As of now, 16 terrorists have been shot dead and 17 injured people have been removed from the scene to receive medical treatment in hospitals.

The attackers have been communicating with their handlers abroad via satellite phones, sources in the security forces said. 3 K L The terrorists have been divided into smaller groups by the security forces to neutralise them. Operation of clearance to neutralize threats and guarantee the security of all hostages will continue now.

Injured Passengers Transferred to Hospitals​

The wounded passengers have received emergency medical assistance and were quickly rushed to the nearest hospitals. More security forces, have been deployed to assist in the operation and bring the situation under full control.

Security officials say they will not stop the operation until every last terrorist has been neutralized. “The noose around the terrorists has tightened and the operation will continue till the last terrorist is eliminated,” the sources had said. THE SAFETY OF ALL HOSTAGES IS SPY ON UP.

Terrorists Hijacked a Train Inside A Tunnel​

The attackers took control of the train after the Jaffar Express was forced inside Tunnel No. 8 and held the passengers hostage. Despite the remote location and difficult terrain, security forces swiftly cordoned off the area and launched a clearance operation to kill the attackers and extract the passengers.

The hostages include many women and children. Terror groups in Afghanistan have been allegedly communicating with the terrorists, according to security sources. The engine is being mobilised with utmost prudence because of the terrorists' purported use of human shields, which has complicated the operation to extract them.

We cannot afford to lose any innocent blood for the sake of any religious, political, or regional cause," the statement said, adding that the attack was strongly condemned by security forces. Officials stressed that such acts are committed by terrorists, with no real struggle or justification.

Confirmation of Terrorists’ Links to Foreign Handlers​

Security agencies have also ascertained that the terrorists involved in the Jaffar Express attack were in contact with their handlers based in Afghanistan. Adding to the challenges, their use of human shields and the hard terrain have made the operation even more difficult. Security forces, however, have sworn to continue the operation until all terrorists are eliminated.

What’s Next?​

The state’s neglect of the underlying causes of the insurgency has deepened the gulf between the government and Baloch people. Kakar pointed out that political instability—six separate chief ministers over the past decade—has undermined governance in the province.

This instability, he contends, has radicalized more young Baloch men, who perceive no viable political outlets for their grievances.

Akbar is convinced the government’s response is still misguided. “Islamabad depends on a puppet government propagating propaganda instead of solving the crisis. This cycle of violence will continue as long as the state does not acknowledge the Balochistan’s people with dignity and meaningful dialogue,” he cautioned.

With military operation against BLA still on-going, Jaffar Express passengers' fate still hangs in the balance. The next few days will show if the state can successfully fight back against the increasing insurgency or if Balochistan’s conflict will only get worse.