Security forces have successfully concluded an extensive counterterrorism operation against the militants responsible for the Jaffar Express attack in Balochistan, in which 21 people, including four soldiers, were martyred. The operation led to the elimination of all 33 terrorists, ensuring the safety of the remaining hostages.
According to Director General (DG) ISPR Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, the attack took place on March 11 at around 1:00 PM in the Osi Pur area of Bolan, where terrorists detonated explosives on a railway track, derailing the Jaffar Express. The train carried 440 passengers at the time.
Lt. Gen. Chaudhry explained that the terrorists took passengers hostage, including women and children, and used them as human shields in the remote, rugged terrain. A rescue operation was launched immediately, involving the Pakistan Army, Air Force, Frontier Corps (FC), and Special Services Group (SSG). The hostages were rescued in phases, ensuring minimal casualties.
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During the operation, the terrorists remained in contact with their handlers and masterminds in Afghanistan via satellite phones. By Tuesday evening, 100 hostages had been safely evacuated, and the operation continued into Wednesday, securing the release of additional passengers.
In the final phase of the operation, the last remaining hostages were freed, but not before the terrorists brutally killed 21 innocent people. Additionally, three FC personnel deployed at the railway checkpoint and another soldier during the operation embraced martyrdom.
Lt. Gen. Chaudhry confirmed that all 33 terrorists were eliminated, and no harm came to the remaining passengers during the military offensive. The Pakistan Air Force played a crucial role in the operation, ensuring precision and safety.
The DG ISPR strongly criticized the Indian media for spreading false narratives immediately after the attack, using AI-generated content, old footage, and misleading images to manipulate the story. He accused certain "external forces" of supporting terrorism and some political elements within Pakistan of exploiting national security issues for their gains.
Emphasizing the need for harsh legal consequences for terrorists, Lt. Gen. Chaudhry called for a review of the National Action Plan to reassess Pakistan’s stance on counterterrorism. He reaffirmed that Pakistan's security forces will relentlessly pursue those responsible for harming innocent civilians.
The brutal attack on the Quetta-to-Peshawar Jaffar Express drew strong condemnation from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, President Asif Ali Zardari, the Speaker of the National Assembly, and the Senate Chairman, among other political leaders. They expressed solidarity with the victims' families and vowed to strengthen counterterrorism measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
