In a decisive military operation, Pakistani security forces stormed a train hijacked by separatist militants, successfully neutralizing all 33 attackers and concluding a tense standoff lasting over a day. This action freed hundreds of hostages, a mission confirmed by military officials.
The incident began when Baloch separatist militants detonated explosives on the railway track, targeting the Jaffar Express traveling from Quetta, the capital of Balochistan, to Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The train was carrying 440 passengers at the time.
During the standoff, a tragic loss of life was reported, including 21 hostages and four security personnel. “Today we freed a significant number of individuals, including women and children … the final operation was executed with great precision,” stated military spokesperson Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, emphasizing that no additional civilian casualties occurred during the climax of the operation.
The militants had issued a grim ultimatum, threatening to execute hostages unless the government met their 48-hour deadline for releasing Baloch political prisoners and addressing the issue of missing persons allegedly taken by military authorities.
The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) stands as the largest among various ethnic armed groups contesting the government in this resource-rich region, which borders both Afghanistan and Iran. Recently, these militants have intensified operations, piloting a shift in tactics that have resulted in increased casualties and a direct aim towards Pakistan’s military forces. Baloch militant factions argue that they are fighting for a more equitable distribution of the region’s mineral wealth, which they believe has been largely overlooked by the federal government.
On the ground, Junior Interior Minister Talal Chaudhry revealed in a conversation with Geo television that many of the militants were equipped with suicide vests and infiltrated the passenger holding area, significantly complicating the rescue operations. Reports suggest that as many as 70 to 80 attackers participated in the hijacking.
The military deployed hundreds of troops alongside the air force and special forces to effectively counter the threat, as Chaudhry detailed, “In the final stages, our special forces prioritized neutralizing the suicide bombers before systematically securing each carriage.” However, specific numbers regarding the rescued passengers remain unclear, and details surrounding their subsequent evacuation have yet to be disclosed.
Preliminary reports indicated that the train driver and several other individuals had already lost their lives prior to the military statement. Government sources had previously noted that 190 passengers had been rescued, with more than 50 being transported to Quetta to reunite with their families.
Muhammad Ashraf, 75, one of the passengers, recounted the harrowing experience, stating, “I heard a deafening explosion in the mountains that rattled the entire train. When the gunfire erupted, we hit the floor, and moments later, armed individuals stormed the train to check our identities.”
A security official shared insights with Reuters, noting that the assailants specifically targeted military personnel among the passengers. Additionally, a distressed mother, whose son remained among the hostages, confronted provincial minister Mir Zahoor Buledi, demanding, “Why didn’t you suspend train operations if they were so vulnerable?” In response, Mr. Buledi assured reporters that the government was dedicated to enhancing security measures throughout the region.
“In circumstances like these, the safety of our citizens must always come first,” Mr. Buledi added, emphasizing ongoing efforts to strengthen security protocols in the area.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
