QUETTA, Pakistan: The security forces have successfully eliminated all 33 terrorists, including suicide bombers, while rescuing the hostages in a phased manner in Operation Jaffar Express, Pakistan military’s media wing said in a statement on Wednesday.
According to the media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Jaffar Express, traveling from Quetta to Peshawar was attacked by heavily armed terrorists near Sibi on Tuesday.
The terrorists, after blowing up the railway track, took control of the train and held the passengers hostage including women, children and elderly, using them as human shields, the statement said.
“Security forces immediately responded to the situation. Displaying unwavering courage and professional excellence, our valiant troops engaged the terrorists with precision and after a prolonged, intense and daring operation. The security forces have successfully eliminated all thirty-three terrorists including suicide bombers, while rescuing the hostages in a phased manner”, the ISPR said.
The ISPR said that tragically, during stage of this intense standoff, the terrorists took the lives of 21 innocent hostages, before the commencement of clearance operation.
“Additionally, 4 brave security forces’ soldiers made the ultimate sacrifice and embraced shahadat. Their selfless actions saved countless lives and prevented further catastrophe,” it added.
The security forces of Pakistan are working tirelessly to provide support and assistance to the families of the victims and the rescued hostages. Sanitisation operation is also being conducted in the area and abettors of this cowardly and heinous act will be brought to justice, the ISPR said.
Intelligence reports have unequivocally confirmed that the attack was orchestrated and directed by terrorist ring leaders operating from Afghanistan, who were in direct communication with the terrorists throughout the incident, the ISPR said.
Pakistan expects the Interim Afghan Government to uphold its responsibilities and deny use of its soil for terrorist activities against Pakistan.
The ISPR said that the security forces of Pakistan remain steadfast in their resolve to eradicate terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
The sacrifices of innocent civilians and our brave soldiers further reinforce our unwavering commitment and resolve to safeguarding our nation at all costs, the press statement concluded with the military’s resolve to ensuring peace in Pakistan.
Pakistan’s security forces have successfully concluded their operation and rescued all hostages after killing all the terrorists who had hijacked the Jaffar Express in Balochistan’s Bolan Pass.
Security sources confirmed that all terrorists involved in the hijacking have been killed, and the site has now been cleared.
A security source confirmed that the operation has been completed successfully, with the incident site cleared and all hostages released.
The operation led to the rescue of 346 passengers, with 168 freed last night and 178 rescued today. The security forces have eliminated all the 33 terrorists during the operation.”
According to security sources, the operation was spearheaded by the SSG’s Zarar Company, Pakistan’s legendary and specialised counter-terrorism force.
A total of 28 Armed Forces personnel embraced martyrdom, including 27 who were held captive by the terrorists.
Furthermore, 16 Armed Forces personnel sustained injuries, including one SSG soldier, eight Army personnel who were held hostage, one FC soldier, two Railway Police officers, and four civilians.
The complex counter-terrorism operation, which utilised both SSG snipers and drone strikes, resulted in the elimination of 32 to 35 terrorists.
Sources said it was the snipers who took down the BLA bombers guarding the attackers, saving several lives. Without their precise and cautious operation, the country would have faced an even greater tragedy.
During the clearance operation, security forces demonstrated exceptional skill and caution to save innocent lives, security sources said.
The terrorists, including suicide bombers, used women and children as human shields, security sources added.
Footage of the operation shows that the terrorists had divided the hostages into separate groups, security sources said.
“In the video, it can also be seen that after the clearance operation, Pakistan Army soldiers safely transferred the rescued hostages to a secure location,” sources said.
Through their expertise, the soldiers prevented any suicide bomber from detonating, security sources stated.
In the war against terrorism, the Pakistan Army has once again demonstrated its ability to deliver a decisive response to any attack, security sources said.
Pakistan’s military spokesman
Pakistan’s military spokesman, Director General of ISPR Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, spoke about the attack on the Jafar Express.
The DG ISPR said that on March 11, at 1:00 pm, the railway track near Bolan was first blown up. The terrorists then stopped the Jafar Express and took the passengers hostage, he added.
The terrorists were in contact with their facilitators in Afghanistan, DG ISPR stated.
Security forces launched a vigorous operation and successfully rescued the hostages, he said.
“All the terrorists present there have been killed,” DG ISPR confirmed. “A total of 33 terrorists were killed,” he added.
Security forces snipers eliminated the suicide bombers, DG ISPR said. The operation was successful, and no passenger was harmed, he stated.
Before the operation, the terrorists martyred 21 innocent civilians, DG ISPR said, adding that four FC personnel were also martyred during the operation.
Earlier, 190 passengers were rescued during the security forces operation.
Terrorists use hostages as human shields
The terrorists, who had taken hostages and used them as human shields, had initially slowed the operation.
The attackers, who had taken the passengers—mostly women and children—hostage, were in contact with foreign facilitators and a mastermind in Afghanistan, sources said.
The assault began on Tuesday, when the terrorists blew up a railway track and opened fire on the locomotive, injuring the driver.
The train, which was on a 30-hour journey from Quetta to Peshawar, was halted just before entering a tunnel in a remote mountainous area near the Afghanistan-Iran border. The attackers, armed with explosives and firearms, stormed the train and took the passengers hostage.
According to security sources, the terrorists were using women and children as human shields at three separate locations within the train.
This tactic slowed the rescue operation as security forces exercised extreme caution to avoid casualties among the hostages.
Some suicide bombers were reportedly positioned near the women and children, adding to the complexity of the operation.
The injured passengers were rushed to nearby medical facilities.
Security sources confirmed that the attackers were using satellite phones to communicate with facilitators, including a key mastermind based in Afghanistan.
“We are committed to continuing the operation until the last terrorist is neutralised,” a security source said.
Emergency measures imposed
The Balochistan government has imposed emergency measures, mobilising all relevant institutions to address the situation. Relief trains and additional security forces were dispatched to the site, and the provincial health department has summoned all medical staff to Civil Hospital in Quetta, where a number of the injured have been treated.
Condemnation
In a statement, the United Nations condemned the terrorist attack, calling for the immediate release of all hostages.
“We condemn any hostage-taking and urge those holding passengers to release them immediately,” said UN Secretary-General’s spokesperson Stephane Dujarric.
President Asif Ali Zardari strongly condemned the terrorist attack, praising the bravery of the security forces in rescuing the passengers.
He expressed his revulsion at the targeting of innocent civilians, emphasising that such acts were incompatible with any religion or society. The president also prayed for the swift recovery of the injured.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif echoed these sentiments, commending the security forces’ bravery and high morale during the ongoing operation.
Despite the difficult terrain, the premier expressed confidence that the forces would soon eliminate the terrorists.
He also highlighted that the terrorists, who launched their cowardly attack during the holy month of Ramadan, had no connection to Islam, Pakistan, or Balochistan.
“The terrorists are the enemies of progress and development in Balochistan,” said the prime minister, adding that Pakistan would continue its fight against terrorism until it was completely eradicated.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also condemned the attack, expressing his condolences for the victims and praying for the quick recovery of the injured.
