Pakistan’s security forces successfully rescued 104 hostages after the Jaffar Express train was attacked by “terrorists” in the Bolan Pass region of Balochistan, as reported by ARY News citing security sources.
The attack led to hundreds of train passengers being taken hostage. Among those rescued were 58 men, 31 women, and 15 children. Security forces also reported that 16 “terrorists” were killed, while several others sustained injuries during the operation. The “terrorists” suffered significant losses and were forced to split into smaller groups, according to officials.
Seventeen injured passengers were transported to a nearby hospital for treatment, while additional security squads continued operations in the area. The Jaffar Express, which was traveling from Quetta to Peshawar, was ambushed by a group of “terrorists,” leaving the train driver seriously wounded. The attackers stopped the train inside a tunnel and took passengers, including women and children, captive.
The Bolan Pass is known for its rugged terrain, making rescue efforts challenging. Security forces launched a clearance operation, surrounding the “terrorists” and engaging in an exchange of fire. Reports suggest that the attackers maintained contact with their facilitators in Afghanistan and used hostages as human shields, making the operation even more complex.
Authorities exercised extreme caution during the rescue operation due to the high-risk situation. Following the attack, an emergency was declared in all hospitals in Sibbi.
On Tuesday, the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attack and hostage situation. In a statement, the BLA warned that it would execute the captives if Pakistani forces did not halt their operation.
“The BLA issues a final warning: if the aerial bombardment is not halted immediately, all 100+ hostages will be executed within the next hour. Majeed Brigade, STOS, Fateh Squad, and ZIRAB Unit fighters are actively engaged in countermeasures, and any further military incursion will have catastrophic consequences,” the statement read.
The group also claimed to have repelled Pakistan’s military ground assault, forcing the troops to retreat while aerial operations continued. The BLA insisted that the Pakistani military would bear full responsibility if any hostages were harmed.
Balochistan has witnessed several attacks on trains, including the Jaffar Express, which has been targeted multiple times in the past. In November, a deadly explosion at the Quetta railway station killed at least 26 people and injured over 40, including women and children.