Jaffar Express attack: 190 hostages rescued, 30 terrorists killed in operation

QUETTA: Security forces have successfully rescued 190 hostages held by terrorists after an attack on the Jaffar Express at Balochistan’s Bolan Pass, killing 30 attackers, ARY News reported citing security sources.

A group of terrorists launched the attack on the Peshawar-Quetta Jaffar Express, leaving the driver with severe injuries in the Bolan Pass area of Balochistan, targeting innocent civilians. The militants detonated a bomb on the railway track, bringing the train to a halt, and then took over around 400 passengers hostage, including women and children.

The terrorists stopped the train in a tunnel and took the passengers hostage. Details of the ongoing operation reveal that security forces are engaged in a fierce battle against terrorists who attacked the Jaffar Express in Balochistan.

Security forces have successfully rescued 190 hostages from terrorist captivity, including men, women, and children. The freed passengers of the Jaffar Express were escorted to Quetta under stringent security measures, where anxious family members awaited their arrival at the station.

So far thirty terrorists have been killed in the operation. “Due to presence of suicide bombers near women and children, operation is being conducted tactfully,” the security forces sources said.

According to security officials, the terrorists have suffered heavy losses in this operation and split into small groups. Some inured passengers have been shifted to the nearby hospital while additional security squads are taking part in the operation in the area.

The area is considered highly inaccessible, but security forces have launched a clearance operation to rescue the hostages. Forces surrounded the terrorists and an exchange of fire is underway.

The security operation, launched in response to the terrorist attack on the Jaffar Express, is ongoing. The forces are working to neutralise the threat and rescue the remaining hostages.

According to security forces, the militants are accompanied by suicide bombers and using innocent civilians as human shields. Security sources have revealed that the terrorists are in contact with their facilitators in Afghanistan.

Following the horrific incident, an emergency was declared in all hospitals in Sibbi.

In Balochistan, different trains including the Jaffar Express were targeted several times in terrorist attacks.

Earlier in November, at least 26 persons were killed and more than 40 were injured including women and children in an explosion at Quetta railway station’s platform.

President, PM condemn attack

President Asif Ali Zardari strongly condemned a terrorist attack on Jaffar Express in Balochistan province and praised the security forces for their effective and timely response.

The president lauded the valour of security forces for rescuing the passengers of Jaffar Express and said that attacks on innocent civilians and passengers were inhuman and condemnable acts.

The Baloch nation strongly opposed those elements who had taken unarmed passengers, elders and children as hostage, he added.

The president said neither any religion nor a society allowed such repugnant acts.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that security forces officers and personnel are eliminating terrorists with bravery and professional capabilities during the ongoing response.

The Prime Minister said despite difficult terrain, the morale of the security forces is high and they are pushing back the coward terrorists with their timely action.

The prime minister expressed the hope that the security operation would soon meet with success and the terrorists would be eliminated.