Pakistan train hijack: The operation of freeing the hostage passengers of the Jafar Express passenger train in Bolan district of Balochistan province of Pakistan has been completed. Sources said on Wednesday that the deadlock between the fighters of the Majeed Brigade of the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and the Pakistani Army for more than 24 hours has ended.
About 346 hostages have been freed in this operation. Sources have confirmed that the military campaign started to save the hostages has ended. In this, at least 346 hostages were rescued and about 50 attackers have been killed.
Learn 10 big updates of this terrorist incident
- Army spokesman Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif told Pakistani media outlet Duniya News TV that all 33 terrorists present at the attack site have been killed. Sharif said, “The armed forces successfully completed the campaign in the evening by killing all the terrorists and saving all the passengers safely (Wednesday).”
- 50 attackers of BLA were killed. Security sources said that terrorists were using women and children as human shields. He said that the campaign was carried out with extreme caution and skills, resulting in many lives of many people.
- The number of passengers suffering from the cruelty of terrorists is being ascertained. It was also revealed that the attackers’ handler, the mastermind behind the attack, was in active contact with Afghanistan’s terrorists. The BLA separatist group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
- All women and children were released by the BLA separatist group and more than 200 passengers were taken hostage. It was claimed that all the hostages were from the Punjab province and members of the security forces.
- The BLA also claimed that at least 20 of the abducted security personnel were killed after examining their identity cards.
- On Tuesday, a large number of BLA militants forced the Jafar Express passenger train to stop by blowing up the track in the Dhabar area of ​​Bolan Pass in Balochistan. Safety forces and railway officials confirmed that the train was attacked near the tunnel number eight of Bolan Pass.
- A military officer told AFP, “346 hostages were freed during the operation and more than 30 terrorists were killed.” He further stated that 27 non-duty soldiers in the train were killed by terrorists and a soldier died during the operation.
- Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif wrote on X, ‘Talked to Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti, who informed me about the latest incidents of the heinous terrorist attack on Jafar Express. The whole country is in deep shock due to this brutal act and is saddened by the life of innocent people. Such cowardly acts will not be able to shake the resolve of peace of Pakistan.
- Sharif said, ‘I express my heartfelt condolences to the families of the martyrs. Allah should provide them the highest place in paradise and pray to the injured to get well soon. Dozens of terrorists have been sent to the world.
- This is the first time a passenger train was abducted by a BLA or any other militant group in Balochistan province, although since last year they have increased their attacks on security forces, establishments and foreigners in various parts of the province.
(With agency input)