The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said on Wednesday that the clearance operation launched a day earlier after the unprecedented hijacking of Jaffar Express in Balochistan ,has been completed. He added that all terrorists, 33 in total, at the site of the attack had been killed.
“On March 11 in Bolan, terrorists targeted a railroad track around 1pm and blew it up and stopped the Jaffer Express. According to railway officials, the train had 440 passengers,” he said while speaking to news anchor Kamran Shahid on Dunya News show ‘On the Front.’
The banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attack, but this was not mentioned by Lt Gen Chaudhry.
He said the area where the incident took place was difficult to approach as it was far away from civilisation and road networks.
“The terrorists used hostages, including women and children, as human shields. The recovery operation was immediately started,” he added.
Chaudhry said the army, air force, Frontier Corps and SSG personnel had taken part and recovered the hostages.
“These terrorists were in contact with their supporters and masterminds in Afghanistan during the operation via satellite phone. You saw that around 100 passengers were safely rescued yesterday evening from the terrorists, and today as well, a large number of passengers have been recovered,” he said, adding that the process continued intermittently.
Elaborating on the details of the “final clearance operation” today, he said: “All hostage passengers were recovered. This operation was conducted with great skill and care since terrorists were using them as human shields.”
Questioned whether he was confirming the operation’s end with all terrorists killed, the DG ISPR said: “Yes, all present terrorists there have been sent to hell and their total number was 33.”
He added that no passenger was hurt in the final clearance operation, but before that, “the number of passengers who fell victim to the barbarism of the terrorists is 21.”
Chaudhry further told the news channel that three FC personnel stationed on the railway picket were martyred, while one FC soldier was martyred during yesterday’s operation.
The chief of the military’s media wing added that the bomb disposal squad was conducting further clearance and inspecting the train and the surrounding area as per standard operating procedures.
Chaudhry said the passengers held hostage, who had fled to the surrounding area during the operation, were also being gathered.
“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 instructions and facilitation of foreign masters.
“Whoever does this, let me say it very clearly, will be hunted down and brought to justice. Let me also say that this incident of Jaffer Express changes the rules of the game.”
He said the terrorists had nothing to do with Islam, Pakistan and Balochistan.
Details of the operation
Presenting a monochromatic visual footage of the incident, he pointed to three black blots or blobs on the screen and said they were the groups of passengers the terrorists had gathered.
“Suicide bombers were sitting amid the passengers’ groups, as well as next to them,” he said, adding that it was the reason for the “slow and careful” progress of the military.
He said the operation commanders had first taken out these suicide bombers in today’s exercise, following which the passengers fled to nearby areas.
After this, Chaudhry said the operation party entered the train and proceeded to take out the suicide bombers aboard and began clearing it out bogey by bogey.
‘Some elements sacrificing national interest for power lust’
The DG ISPR criticised the flow of misinformation online and on social media amid the incident, particularly from India, saying that this openly displayed the “nexus between the terrorists and their masters to the whole world.”
“Interestingly, some specific political elements in Pakistan also partake in such activities enthusiastically and activate their social media [teams], and instead of standing with the state, they can be seen creating baseless justifications and reasons for this horrible terrorist act,” he said.
“Sadly, some elements are sacrificing the national interest due to their lust for political power,” he said.
However, Chaudhry asserted that the discerning nation was not only observing and understanding the unfolding events but also recognising the forces driving “this anarchic politics”.
Questioned about criticism of security agencies for misfocused priorities, the DG ISPR said law enforcement and intelligence agencies were carrying out over 160 operations daily against terrorism.
President, interior minister laud armed forces on successful operation
President Asif Ali Zardari, in a statement, paid tribute to the security forces for completing the operation on the Jaffar Express and expressed deep sorrow and regret over the martyrdom of 21 civilians and four FC personnel.
“The president praises the bravery of the security forces for killing 33 terrorists in an effective operation and appreciates the professionalism of the security forces for rescuing civilians and passengers”, the statement read.
President Zardari conveyed his prayers for the martyrs and expressed his determination to establish peace in Balochistan and eradicate terrorism from the country.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also paid tribute to security forces for successfully rescuing all of the hostages on the Jaffar Express, according to a statement posted by the interior ministry on X.
“[The] interior minister lauds security forces’ professionalism in eliminating all 33 terrorists,” the statement read. “Security forces took extreme precautions to save the lives of women and children.”
Naqvi expressed deep sorrow over the martyrdom of 21 passengers and four FC personnel.
All our sympathies are with the families of the martyrs and the injured. This incident of terrorism is extremely heartbreaking,” the post said. “Using innocent children and women as human shields is an extremely inhumane act.”
The statement quoted Naqvi as saying, “Terrorists are a burden on this land, and with the support of the nation, it is time to eradicate this scourge once and for all.
“Along with terrorists, facilitators will also be dealt with an iron fist,” he said.
Freed hostages
Earlier on Wednesday, state media — citing security officials — had said that at least 190 passengers had been freed after terrorists hijacked the Jaffar Express near Balochistan’s Bolan district. It reported that casualties were being determined.
The unprecedented hostage situation began on Tuesday near the Mashkaf Tunnel, about 157 kilometres from Quetta, when terrorists attacked the Jaffar Express and took more than 400 passengers hostage, including numerous security personnel.
Key developments
Train carrying around 450 people, including security personnel, hijacked; BLA claims responsibility
70 to 80 terrorists were involved in the incident, according to interior ministry
190 passengers; including 37 injured, rescued; 57 of rescued passengers shifted to the provincial capital
Help desk and emergency cell set up for families of travellers -PM Shehbaz says he’s in touch with CM Bugti, condemns attack
Condemnations pour in from US, China, UN, Iran, and Germany.
According to Radio Pakistan, of the rescued passengers, 37 were injured and had been sent for medical treatment.
There was no confirmation of the total number of casualties, but officials said that at least 30 people — including the driver of the locomotive and eight security personnel — had lost their lives as the forces engaged in a gun battle.
It was not immediately clear whether these people had been freed as the result of kinetic military action or were among those allegedly freed by the armed assailants.
The hijacking was a first-of-its-kind event, as terrorists had never attempted to attack or take an entire train and its occupants hostage earlier.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said in a post on X that he had spoken to the Balochistan chief minister and been briefed on the operation.
“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,” the PM wrote.
“I offer my heartfelt condolences to the families of the martyrs … and [may God] and bless those injured with a swift recovery. Dozens of the terrorists have been sent to hell,” he added in his post.
70 to 80 terrorists involved in incident: interior official
Speaking to Geo News today, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry said that about 70 to 80 terrorists were involved in the incident.
“Even right now, the terrorists have made human shields out of women and children. These suicide bombers are making small groups of the women and children and staying with them.
“That’s why this operation is being undertaken with care, to protect the maximum number of lives,” the minister said.
“The handlers of these terrorists are in a neighbouring country; those giving them dollars are in another country. Our enemy India will definitely support this,” he said.
“But what is unfortunate is that even in Pakistan, there were social media statements and tweets that made it seem like they were supporting terrorism and discouraging the security forces.
“The government will handle these social media statements the way it is handling the terrorists,” he warned.
Chaudhry acknowledged the need for strict action. “We have previously tried to take local stakeholders into confidence, and we will try again.
“But you cannot say, ‘the government does not communicate with us, they don’t take us into confidence. ’”
Responding to a question, he said: “I agree with you, that this insurgency, this terrorism cannot be wiped out until the political forces behind the security forces stand together with one voice.”
He claimed that between 2013 and 2018 — when the PTI was in power — terrorism had been eliminated because political forces took note and stood behind their security forces. He also said that the successive government had policies that allowed many people from neighbouring countries to come to Pakistan.
He added that 23 of them were residents of Balochistan’s Mach and Sibi districts and that a relief train was to depart for Mach after getting security clearance.
“We do not have any information about the dead and the injured,” the doctor told reporters earlier today. He highlighted that the route where the train was stopped was a harsh terrain and “accessing it was difficult”.
‘God saved us’: Rescued people recall details of attack
“God saved us,” one elderly rescued man told media earlier today at the Quetta railway station, where passengers were brought from Mach after being recovered.
“God will help, but [right now] the situation is not good,” the distraught man added.
Recounting the attack, he said a “[rocket] launcher” hit the train’s engine, after which gunfire began. “There were launchers and such [huge] explosions,” the man said, tilting his face upwards to describe the scale of the attack.
An elderly woman accompanying him echoed the same sentiments, saying: “God has saved us […] May God destroy them (terrorists).”
“We were anxious, we started sweating […] I told my husband ‘let’s leave quickly’,” the woman added.
She recalled that the couple walked to a nearby railway station, from where a cargo train took them to Mach. “It was very unlikely that we would have been saved,” the elderly woman added.
Mohammad Ashraf, another rescued passenger who was going from Quetta to Lahore, when asked if he saw any people dying during the attack, said he saw “at least six or seven” travellers losing their lives.
“[…] no one was looking anywhere or speaking to each other. Everyone was quiet because of fear,” the elderly man told reporters.
“There was gunfire [but] God protected us,” said another rescued man, according to a video making rounds on social media. He thanked the soldiers and Frontier Constabulary personnel for bringing them back to a railway station.
UN, China, US call for hostages’ release as world condemns attack
The developments prompted worldwide condemnations and calls for the release of the travellers taken hostage by the terrorists.
Several countries, including China, the US, and Iran, condemned the attack.
“We strongly condemn the attack on the Jaffar Express train, and the hostage-taking of passengers in Kacchi, Balochistan, claimed by the Baloch Liberation Army, a US-Specially Designated Global Terrorist group,” the US Embassy in Islamabad posted on X.
We extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to the victims, their families, and all those affected by this horrific act. The Pakistani people deserve to live free from violence and fear. The United States will remain a steadfast partner of Pakistan in its efforts to ensure the safety and security of all its citizens. We stand in solidarity with Pakistan during this difficult time.”
China also denounced the attack and vowed to continue its firm support to Pakistan in combating terrorism, maintaining solidarity and social stability and protecting the safety of civilians.
“We noted the reports and strongly condemn this terrorist attack,” Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said during her regular briefing in response to a question regarding a terrorist attack on the train.
She said that China firmly opposes terrorism in any form and added, “We will continue to firmly support Pakistan in combating terrorism, maintaining solidarity and social stability and protecting the safety of civilians.”
China stands ready to strengthen counter terrorism and security cooperation with Pakistan and jointly keep the region peaceful, secure and stable, she added.
German Ambassador to Pakistan Alfred Grannas also strongly condemned the incident and extended his solidarity.
“The use of violence for political purposes by anyone is unacceptable, even more so when innocent civilians are targeted,” Grannas said in a post on X today.
The United Nations also condemned the incident and demanded the release of the hostages.
“We’ve just seen the reports. We, of course, condemn any hostage taking, and we call on those who’ve taken people hostage to release them at once,” Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, told a press briefing yesterday.
“We’re going to keep following the situation as it evolves,” Dujarric added.
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Ismail Baghaei also condemned the “terrorist act” and expressed deep concern over the endangerment of innocent civilians.
In a statement, Baghaei recalled Iran’s “principled stance […] in condemning all forms and manifestations of terrorism and violent extremism”.
He added that Iran was ready to “provide any assistance necessary to bring an end to this terrorist incident”.
The Iranian embassy in Islamabad also denounced the assault, stating that the “violent measures against civilians and disturbing vital transportation system is a cowardly crime against humanity”.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) expressed “grave concern” on the attack in a statement today and demanded that all hostages be released immediately.
It said the terrorists “hijacked the train after blowing up the rail track and several hundred passengers taken hostage”.
“We strongly urge all relevant stakeholders to forge an urgent rights-based, pro-people consensus on the issues faced by citizens in Balochistan and to find a peaceful, political solution,” the HRCP added.
It asserted that the commission condemned “violence against unarmed civilians and noncombatants by the state as well as non-state actors”.
In a statement carried by PTV News today, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said he was in constant contact with Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti regarding the attack and reaffirmed “every kind of support” from the government to the province.
Naqvi and CM Bugti reiterated their pledge to bring the assailants to an “exemplary end”, PTV News reported.
The incident was widely condemned by leaders, including President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and the chief ministers, among others.
President Zardari said the “Baloch nation rejects those who attack and take hostages innocent passengers” while PM Shehbaz asserted that the “beast terrorists” did not deserve any concession.
Operation being executed with ‘extra care’
According to Imran Hayat, the Railways Divisional Superintendent (DS) in Quetta, 10 people — including the driver of the locomotive and eight security personnel — had lost their lives.
Security officials said that the rescue operation was being executed with extra care due to the presence of hostages in the terrorists’ captivity.
By late Tuesday night, 104 recovered passengers were shifted to the nearby Paneer railway station, including 58 men, 31 women and 15 children. A relief train had evacuated them to nearby Mach station, while efforts are underway for the safe recovery of the remaining passengers.
Railway officials said that around 750 passengers were booked to travel in the Jaffar Express, but the train left Quetta with around 450 people onboard.
Sources said that over 200 security personnel were also travelling on the same train.
According to the government’s statement, an emergency has been imposed at the Sibi hospital, while ambulances and security forces were on their way to the site of the incident.
“The scale of the incident and the possibility of terrorist elements are being determined. The Balochistan government has ordered that emergency measures be taken, and all institutions remain active,” Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind said.
Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry told Geo News last night that many people had been taken off the train and were being used as human shields by the terrorists.
The state minister said security forces were treading carefully because of the lives involved, saying that the operation was still underway.
Attack near tunnel
Railway officials said the train left Quetta for Peshawar around 9am, with 450 passengers in nine bogies. Around 1pm, they received information that the train had come under attack between the Paneer and Peshi railway stations, near Railway Tunnel No 8, located near Mashkaf.
The Mashkaf Tunnel is located around 157km from Quetta and approximately 21km from Sibi.
Although the Quetta-Jacobabad N65 highway and the railway line run mostly side-by-side through the Bolan region, they diverge near the town of Mashkaf.
From here, the railway line takes a more direct path, cutting through the mountains and running along the Bolan River, rejoining the main road near Mach.
The Mashkaf Tunnel is located in a very isolated part of the area, with the nearest station located at Pehro Kunri. The next stop on the line towards Quetta is the stop at Paneer, just short of the Paneer Tunnel.
“Armed men fired rockets at the locomotive and opened fire, which caused the train to stop. The driver of the locomotive was seriously injured,” officials said, adding that a heavy exchange of fire took place between security personnel and the attackers.
Reports suggest that the attackers martyred a number of security personnel and hijacked the train. They then started checking passengers’ identities and took some passengers hostage before they fled.
Sources said that a large group of armed attackers, carrying automatic weapons and rocket launchers, were sheltered in the mountains. They also damaged the railway line with explosives.
“According to security sources, terrorists split into small groups due to security forces’ operation. Injured passengers have been shifted to nearby hospital while additional security squads are taking part in the operation in the area,” reports aired on state media said.
Recent BLA attacks
In 2024, the banned BLA emerged as a key perpetrator of terrorist violence in Pakistan, according to a report by Islamabad-based think tank Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS).
In August last year, dozens of militants affiliated with BLA launched numerous attacks across the province, in which at least 50 people, including 14 security men, lost their lives. In response, security forces had neutralised 21 militants.
Earlier that month, then-Panjgur deputy commissioner Zakir Baloch was shot dead on the Quetta-Karachi National Highway, with CM Bugti stating BLA as the group behind it.
In October 2024, a suicide bombing near Karachi airport killed two Chinese nationals and a Pakistani citizen, for which two BLA suspects were sent to jail on judicial remand while a probe body was formed as well.
The group also claimed responsibility for the Quetta railway suicide bombing in November last year, in which at least 26 people, including 16 security personnel, lost their lives and 61 others were injured.
Pakistan designated the BLA as a terrorist organisation in April 2006 after the group repeatedly attacked security personnel.
In January this year, a former BLA member said during a press conference that the banned group “brainwashed average citizens into thinking a certain way about Balochistan and resorting to terrorist activities.”
Last month, the BLA claimed responsibility for an attack in Balochistan’s Barkhan, where seven Punjab-bound passengers were offloaded from a bus and shot dead.
In earlier grand-scale hijackings in the country, one that particularly comes to mind is that in 1994 when three armed militants from Afghanistan took control of a school bus near Peshawar and took around 70 children hostage. The bus was driven to the Embassy of Afghanistan in Islamabad, where units of elite commandoes gunned them down the next day.
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