Security forces in Pakistan have rescued at least 190 passengers and killed 30 militants as operations continue for a second day following the hijacking of the Jaffar Express in Balochistan’s Bolan district. The attack, claimed by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), began on Tuesday near the Mashkaf Tunnel when armed militants ambushed the train and took more than 400 people hostage, including security personnel.
Authorities confirmed that security operations were ongoing, with militants using suicide bombers and human shields. Women and children were reportedly being held at three different locations. The Pakistani military stated that the assailants had direct links to facilitators in Afghanistan.
The attack has drawn widespread condemnation from the United Nations, China, Iran, and Germany. China reaffirmed its commitment to counterterrorism cooperation with Pakistan, while Iranian officials expressed concern over the endangerment of civilians. The UN called for the immediate release of hostages, emphasizing the need for humanitarian protection.
Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti chaired a law and order meeting, declaring the attack intolerable. He directed security agencies to take strict action and emphasized that no terrorist would be allowed to hold territory in Pakistan. The chief minister further pledged that facilitators of the attack would be held accountable.
Railway operations between Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan remain suspended due to security concerns. Pakistan Railways has established help desks and emergency cells in Rawalpindi and Quetta to provide information to families of passengers. Officials confirmed that 57 rescued individuals have been transported to Quetta for medical care, with others being relocated to Mach via relief trains.
The hijacking, unprecedented in Pakistan’s history, involved armed assailants bombing railway tracks before seizing control of the train. Security forces launched a large-scale operation in the rugged Bolan Pass region to regain control. Eyewitness accounts described gunfire, rocket launcher attacks, and targeted killings of security personnel. Reports indicated that some passengers were released by the militants and walked several kilometers to safety.
As security operations continue, officials have not confirmed the total number of casualties. However, at least 30 people, including eight security personnel and the locomotive driver, are believed to have been killed. Authorities are conducting their operation with extreme caution due to the presence of hostages.
Pakistan’s government has reiterated its commitment to eliminating terrorist threats in Balochistan, a province rich in natural resources but often affected by separatist violence. State officials, including President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, have condemned the attack, vowing to bring the perpetrators to justice.