Jaffar Express: Deadly train hijack comes to end as security forces eliminate all militants

The military on Wednesday announced that the Jaffar Express rescue operation was successfully completed after nearly 30 hours as all attackers were eliminated and hostages freed.

Speaking to a private news channel, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) chief Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry confirmed that the complex operation had been completed by units from the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), Special Services Group (SSG), army and Frontier Corps (FC).

He said that all 33 terrorists had been killed while confirming that no  passenger was harmed during the clearance operation.

However, he added, before the clearance operation, 21 passengers were martyred by the terrorists.

At least four FC soldiers were also martyred during an exchange of fire.

Furthermore, Lt Gen Sharif said that the attackers had placed the hostages in groups with suicide bombers sitting amongst them. The suicide bombers were taken out by snipers, he added.

The chief of the military's media-wing confirmed reports that the terrorists were in contact with their handlers in Afghanistan, and said that security personnel were now conducting a sweep of the train as per the SOPs.

The attack, the most brazen one carried out by BLA till date, began on Tuesday afternoon when terrorists attacked the train near the Mashkaf tunnel, about 150 kilometers out of Quetta, taking hostage all 400 passengers on board. Minister of State for Interior, Talal Chaudhry told a news channel that between 70-80 terrorists were involved in the attack. 

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took to X (formerly Twitter) to state that he had been briefed about the attack. "I offer my heartfelt condolences to the families of the martyrs … and [may God] and bless those injured with a swift recovery. Dozens of the terrorists have been sent to hell,” he wrote in the post, stressing that Pakistan's resolve for peace will not be shaken.