- The army of Pak, the Air Force, the SSG and the FC participated in the joint exploitation.
- The CEO says that 21 passengers were martyred before the customs clearance operation.
- “Jaffer Express’s incident changes the rules of the game”
The Pakistani army announced on Wednesday that Jaffar Express hostage rescue had been successfully completed and that all the attackers on the site were killed by the security forces and released hostages.
Addressing a private news channel, the Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations, Lieutenant-General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, confirmed the completion of the complex operation, developing that the units of Pakistan Air Force (PAF), Special Services Group (SSG), the army and the border body (FC) participated.
Dozens of activists, affiliated with the Balutchistan Liberation Army (Bla), exploded a railroad track and attacked the Jaffar Express on Tuesday, transporting more than 400 passengers, the authorities announced.
“The 33 terrorists were sent to hell … No evil was caused to any passenger during the customs clearance operation,” said CEO ISPR.
However, he added, before the customs clearance operation was launched, 21 passengers were martyred by the terrorists.
Discussing the details of the incident, Lieutenant-General Chaudhry said the terrorists targeted a railroad in Bolan on March 11, arrested the Jaffar Express and took passengers hostage. “Activists have used hostages, including women and children, as human shields,” he added.
In addition, he said that the attackers had placed hostages in groups with suicide bomber. “The suicide bombers have been removed by elite security forces,” he added.
“The terrorists have remained in contact with their facilitators and their brains based in Afghanistan by satellite phone during the customs clearance operation,” he revealed.
“About 100 passengers were safely rescued terrorists last night, and today a large number of passengers have been recovered,” he added.
He noted that all the terrorists present on the incident site had been killed, however, the authorization of the train and the area was carried out by the bombs elimination team in accordance with the standard operational procedure.
In addition to this, Lieutenant-General Chaudhry said that the hostages that had fled to neighboring areas during the operation were also gathered.
Developing on the final clearance operation which was carried out earlier during the day, the head of the ISPR said that the armed forces had erased all the boogies one by one and “sent 33 terrorists in hell”.
“No one can be allowed to make innocent Pakistan the victim of their barbarism in the streets, trains, buses or markets because of their misleading ideology,” he added, added, added, added, added, added, added, added, added, added, added, added, added, added, added, added, added, added, added, added
The military spokesman noted that Jaffer Express’s incident had changed the rules of the game. “The one who did it will be tracked down and brought to justice,” he added. He added that terrorists had nothing to do with Islam, Pakistan and Balutchistan.
In a statement published later, the army media wing said that a disinfection operation was also underway in the region and that “the accomplices of this loose act and Hélieux will be brought to justice”.
“The intelligence reports have unequivocally confirmed that the attack was orchestrated and led by terrorist leaders operating in Afghanistan, who were in direct communication with the terrorists throughout the incident,” said the ISPR.
The army media wing reiterated that Pakistan expects the interim Afghan government to respect its responsibilities and denies the use of its soil for terrorist activities against Pakistan.
“Pakistan’s security forces remain firmly in their determination to eradicate terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. The sacrifices of innocent civilians and our brave soldiers strengthen our unshakable commitment and the resolution to safeguard our nation at all costs,” added the ISPR.
Congratulations
Following the conclusion of the operation, President Asif Ali Zardari appreciated the security forces for finishing an operation against the terrorists and released passengers from the Jaffar Express who were taken hostage.
The president expressed his deep sorrow and sorrow on the martyrdom of 21 civilians and four FC staff. He also praised the security forces for their effective response and killing 33 terrorists.
He paid tribute to the four FC soldiers who embraced martyrdom and congratulated the professionalism of the security forces displayed during the operation.
The president prayed for the high ranks of missing souls and bereaved families to undergo losses forcefully. He also expressed the resolution to guarantee peace and complete elimination of terrorism in the province of Balutchistan.
In addition, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the Pakistani army and the security forces for having successfully completed Jaffar Express operations and saving hostages.
The Prime Minister said that the completion of Operation Jaffar Express, without any major loss, had been made possible due to the professional expertise of the security forces and the dynamic management of the army chief, adding that the operation was carried out with exceptional skills.
He also announced to visit Balutchistan tomorrow (Thursday) to express his solidarity with people and assess the security situation. He will also chair a meeting to examine the situation of the law and the order.
The Prime Minister said that the brave soldiers and officers had shown courage and value, eliminating 33 terrorists.
He also expressed profound sadness and sorrow on the martyrdom of security staff and train passengers and prayed for the forgiveness of martyrs and patience and strength for their families.
“Those who harm innocent and unarmed civilians have no connection with Islam or this country,” the press release said.
He also reaffirmed to defeat those, on all fronts, who attacked innocent civilians, adding that the fight against terrorists would continue until terrorism is completely eradicated from the country.
Rescue operation
Earlier, security sources said that at least 190 passengers had been released after the terrorists diverted the Jaffar Express near the Bolan Du Baloutchistan district.
According to security sources, forces have saved a large number of hostages, including women and children. Civilians rescued were used as human shields by terrorists.
During the operation, the security forces practiced the greatest caution due to the innocent life involved. Meanwhile, 37 people injured were evacuated for medical treatment, confirmed security sources.
Quetta’s rail journey to Peshawar includes various stops crossing at least 11 cities, including Sibi, Jacobabad, Rohri, Khanpur, Bahawalpur, Khanewal, Sahiwal, Lahore, Gujranwala and Islamabad.
The attackers bombed the railroad before storming the train and opened fire on the locomotive, injuring the driver. The train, arrested just before a tunnel, was diverted in a distant mountainous region near the Afghan-Iranian border.
After the launch of the operation on Tuesday, activists divided into small groups.
By browsing the difficult land, the security forces completed the area by receiving a word of the attack, they said, adding that despite the difficult route, the forces have reached the premises in the Mushqaf zone of the Bolan district to initiate the operation.
In addition, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said in a position on X that he had spoken to the chief minister of Balutchistan, Sarfaraz Bugti and had been informed of the operation.
“The whole nation is deeply shocked by this vile and saddened act by the loss of innocent lives – such loose acts will not shake the determination of Pakistan for peace,” wrote the PM.
“I offer my sincere condolences to the families of the martyrs … and (may God) and bless the wounded with rapid recovery. Dozens of terrorists have been sent to hell, “he added.
Emergency measures
The Balutchistan government has imposed emergency measures and all the institutions have been mobilized to cope with the situation, spokesman Shahid Rind said.
A rescue train and security forces were also sent to the site. Meanwhile, an emergency was imposed in Sibi and at the Quetta civilian hospital.
According to the provincial health service, all members of medical and paramedical staff were summoned to the civil hospital and several districts were canceled to deal with the situation.
After the incident, an emergency information office was created at Quetta station. A rail manager was appointed to share the relevant developments concerning the Jaffar Express incident.
‘It was terrifying’
One of the liberated passengers thanked the forces for having safely evacuated it from the diverted train and recognized the efforts of the staff of the army and the FC in the security operation.
“There were shots, but by the grace of Allah, the army and the FC staff put us in safety,” said one of the passengers rescued.
Meanwhile, Muhammad Bilal, who was traveling with his mother on the Jafar Express train, said AFP: “I can’t find the words to describe how we managed to escape. It was terrifying.”
Meanwhile, railway officials said the Bolan Mail and Jaffar Express, operating from Quetta to other parts of the country, were suspended for three days.
In addition, Quetta’s travelers train in Shaman has not yet left, said railway officials.
– with additional AFP and application details