Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday expressed deep shock and sorrow over the Jaffar Express hijack, calling it a “dastardly act” and condemning the tragic loss of innocent lives. The incident has left the entire nation in mourning.
PM Sharif was briefed on the situation by Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti. Sharing the latest updates, PM Sharif stated on X, “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.”
Offering condolences to the victims’ families, the Prime Minister added, “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.”
As the crisis unfolds, the situation has taken a grim turn with reports of heavy casualties. Authorities have reportedly dispatched over 200 coffins to Quetta railway station, indicating expectations of severe losses.
Human rights activist Amjad Ayub Mirza suggested that the Pakistani army’s apparent refusal to negotiate could escalate the situation further. Mirza stated, “More than 200 wooden coffins have been brought to the Quetta Railway Station. This means that the Pakistani army has decided not to do negotiations, thus has decided to get its military personnel killed.” He also reported that the bodies of 30-40 military personnel had already reached Quetta and that an emergency had been declared in nearby hospitals.
The standoff remains tense as the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has hijacked the Jaffar Express, holding over 200 hostages, most of whom are Pakistani security personnel. The BLA has issued a 24-hour ultimatum to Pakistan, demanding a prisoner exchange and warning that if their demands are not met, the hostages will face trial in the Baloch National Court.
