The Pakistan Army has declared the completion of the clearance operation following the hijacking of the Jaffar Express in Balochistan, with all 33 “terrorists” killed at the site of the attack, Dawn reported, citing the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
Lt General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, ISPR’s Director General, described the operation on Dunya News, stating, “On March 11 in Bolan, terrorists targeted a railroad track around 1 pm, blew it up, and stopped the Jaffar Express. According to railway officials, the train had 440 passengers.”
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a group banned by Pakistan, claimed responsibility for the attack, though General Chaudhry did not reference this in his statement.
General Chaudhry noted the challenging terrain where the attack took place, describing it as remote and difficult to access. The operation involved personnel from the army, air force, Frontier Corps, and Special Services Group, who worked together to recover the hostages.
“The terrorists used hostages, including women and children, as human shields. The recovery operation was immediately started,” Chaudhry said, adding that security forces safely rescued around 100 passengers on Tuesday evening and continued efforts the following day.
The Jaffar Express, carrying approximately 450 passengers, was attacked with bombs and gunfire by the BLA while traveling from Quetta to Peshawar. The train was intercepted near a tunnel in Sibbi. The attack claimed the life of the train driver and injured at least 37 people, who are currently receiving medical treatment.
Discussing the “final clearance operation,” General Chaudhry confirmed that all remaining hostages were safely recovered. “All present terrorists there have been sent to hell and their total number was 33,” he said, confirming the end of the operation. He also reported that no passengers were harmed during this phase, though earlier attacks by the terrorists claimed the lives of 21 civilians.
The operation also saw casualties among security personnel, with three Frontier Corps (FC) members killed at the railway picket and one FC soldier killed during the Tuesday operation.
As the bomb disposal squad continued inspecting the train and surrounding area, General Chaudhry vowed that those responsible for such acts of terrorism would face justice. “No one can be permitted to make innocent people of Pakistan the victim of their barbarism in the streets, trains, buses, or markets because of their misleading ideas and facilitation of foreign masters,” he stated.
He emphasized that this incident marked a turning point, declaring, “This incident of Jaffar Express changes the rules of the game.”
Drone footage shown during the briefing depicted groups of passengers held hostage, with suicide bombers reportedly placed among them. Chaudhry explained that the military’s “slow and careful” approach was necessary to minimize civilian casualties.
Following the elimination of suicide bombers, passengers fled to nearby areas. The security forces then entered the train and systematically cleared each carriage, ensuring the safe recovery of remaining hostages.
