An unprecedented hostage crisis unfolded on Tuesday when militants attacked the Jaffar Express in the mountainous terrain of Balochistan’s Bolan Pass, taking more than 400 passengers captive, including a substantial number of security personnel.
Despite the remoteness of the area, security forces launched a large-scale operation in Dhadar to rescue the hostages, eliminating at least 16 of the attackers, reports AFP.
While the total number of casualties remained unconfirmed, officials reported that at least 10 individuals, including the train’s driver, had perished in the attack.
Security forces claimed to have freed over 100 passengers—comprising men, women, and children—from the militants, who had taken hostages into the treacherous Bolan mountain range. However, it remained unclear whether these individuals were liberated through military action or released voluntarily by the attackers.
The operation to recover the remaining passengers and bring the perpetrators to justice continued around the Mushkaf Tunnel, though authorities withheld sensitive operational details until the situation was fully resolved.
A First-of-Its-Kind Train Hijacking
The attack marked the first known incident of terrorists seizing an entire train and taking its occupants hostage. The banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the assault, alleging that they had taken a large number of passengers captive while also releasing some, including women and children—claims that could not be independently verified.
The Attack and Hostage Crisis
Railway officials stated that the Jaffar Express departed Quetta for Peshawar at around 9 am with approximately 450 passengers aboard nine bogies. By 1 pm, reports emerged that the train had been ambushed near Railway Tunnel No. 8, between the Paneer and Peshi stations close to Mushkaf.
“Armed men fired rockets at the locomotive and opened fire, forcing the train to stop. The driver sustained critical injuries,” railway officials said. A heavy exchange of fire ensued between security personnel aboard the train and the assailants.
Eyewitness accounts indicated that the militants executed several security personnel before systematically checking passengers’ identities and selecting hostages. Sources reported that the heavily armed attackers, equipped with automatic weapons and rocket launchers, later detonated explosives on the railway track before retreating into the mountains.
“Due to the military operation, the terrorists have split into small groups. Injured passengers have been transported to nearby hospitals, while additional security reinforcements have joined the operation,” state media reported.
Security Forces’ Cautious Response
Imran Hayat, the divisional superintendent of railways in Quetta, confirmed that ten individuals—including the train’s driver and eight security personnel—had lost their lives.
Security officials emphasised that the rescue mission was being executed with extreme caution due to the presence of hostages.
Approximately 104 rescued passengers—comprising 58 men, 31 women, and 15 children—were transported to Paneer railway station and later evacuated by relief train to Mach station.
Efforts were ongoing to ensure the safe recovery of the remaining captives.
Railway authorities noted that while 750 tickets were booked for the Jaffar Express, the train had departed Quetta with around 450 passengers, among whom were more than 200 security personnel.
In response to the crisis, emergency measures were enacted at Sibi hospital, with ambulances and security forces deployed to the incident site.
“The scale of the incident and potential terrorist elements are being assessed. The Balochistan government has directed all institutions to remain on high alert,” said government spokesperson Shahid Rind.
Militants Using Hostages as Human Shields
Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry revealed that several hostages were being used as human shields, complicating rescue efforts.
“The security forces are proceeding cautiously due to the presence of hostages. The operation is still ongoing,” he said, denouncing the militants for targeting civilians.
National Condemnation
President Asif Ali Zardari strongly condemned the attack, praising the security forces for their swift response.
“These heinous acts against innocent citizens violate the values and traditions of Balochistan. The Baloch nation rejects those who attack and take civilians hostage,” the president’s statement read.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also lauded the security forces for compelling the militants to retreat through their “timely action and bravery.” He pledged that the operation would soon be completed and the attackers brought to justice.
“The cowardly terrorists behind this atrocity will receive no leniency. They are enemies of Balochistan’s development,” he said, condemning the assault during the holy month of Ramazan as a testament to their disregard for humanity, Islam, and Pakistan.
Vowing to eradicate terrorism from the country, the prime minister reaffirmed the government’s resolve to thwart any attempt to destabilise Pakistan.
“We will never allow anti-national elements to achieve their sinister goals. The entire nation stands in solidarity with our security forces in this fight against terrorism,” he declared.
The rescue operation remains ongoing as security forces intensify efforts to secure the release of the remaining hostages and dismantle the terrorist network responsible for the attack.
