Rawalpindi : After a long rescue operation spanning over more than 24 hours , Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lt. General, Ahmad Sharif , told local media at the evening on Wednesday that the Jaffar Express’ rescue operation has been completed , killing all 33 terrorists . According to ISPR DG , the terrorists killed 21 passengers before the start of the rescue operation by the security forces . He also confirmed that the remaining 300 passengers have been rescued without any human loss.
During the operation, armed forces snippers killed several suicide bombers who were using trapped passengers mostly women and children as shield. Later on , the security forces deleted those terrorists who were hiding in different bogies of the ill-fated train.
ISPR DG said the bomb disposal units were currently checking the train to give clearance before its allowed to chug on to leave the site of the incident.
ISPR DG also confined that all rescued passengers have been dispatched to their destinations.
A group of terrorists had attacked Jaffar Express which was on its route to Peshawar from Quetta on Monday. The passengers who remained trapped in the train for more than 24 hours , spoke to different media outlets . They shared their ordeal as to how and when the terrorists who were in dozens attacked the train and made hundreds of passengers hostage.
The rescued passengers ‘ media talks indicate how barbaric the assailants were and how they killed those who they found in checking that they were from than Balochistan province.
Tuesday ‘s terrorists attack on Jaffar Express is the worst kind of terror and Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) , a declared terror organisation , had claimed its responsibility .
The attack on Jaffar Express train by BLA has been widely condemned. The International community has widely condemned the terrorists act of killing innocent people who were travelling in Jaffar Express.
United Nations calls terrorists act on Jaffar Express in Balochistan unacceptable. UN Secretary General urged the world community to condemn the terror attack that killed dozens of passengers in Balochistan.
The US embassy in Islamabad has condemned the terrorists attack on the train in Balochistan. The statement said US stands with the people of Pakistan in these difficult times and condemns terror attack on the passengers train in Balochistan.
China has also condemned terrorists attack on the train in Balochistan and vowed to provide support for Pakistan to counter terrorists in Balochistan and other provinces of Pakistan.
Turkey also condemned terrorists attack on Jaffar Express and expended support to Pakistan against rising terror activities.
ISPR issued the following statement here on Wednesday on Jaffar Express attack and subsequent rescue operation.
“On 11 March 2025, Jaffar Express, traveling from Quetta to Peshawar was attacked by heavily armed terrorists near Sibi. The terrorists, after blowing up the railway track, took control of the train and held the passengers hostage including women, children and elderly, using them as human shields.
Security forces immediately responded to the situation. Displaying unwavering courage and professional excellence, our valiant troops engaged the terrorists with precision and after a prolonged, intense and daring operation, the security forces successfully eliminated all 33 terrorists including suicide bombers, while rescuing the hostages in a phased manner.
Tragically, during stage of this intense standoff, the terrorists took the lives of 21 innocent hostages, before the commencement of clearance operation.
Additionally, 4 brave security forces‘ soldiers made the ultimate sacrifice and embraced shahadat. Their selfless actions saved countless lives and prevented further catastrophe.
The security forces of Pakistan are working tirelessly to provide support and assistance to the families of the victims and the rescued hostages.
Sanitization operation is also being conducted in the area and abettors of this cowardly and henious act will be brought to justice.
Intelligence reports have unequivocally confirmed that the attack was orchestrated and directed by terrorist ring leaders operating from Afghanistan, who were in direct communication with the terrorists throughout the incident. Pakistan expects the Interim Afghan Government to uphold its responsibilities and deny use of its soil for terrorist activities against Pakistan.The security forces of Pakistan remain steadfast in their resolve to eradicate terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. The sacrifices of innocent civilians and our brave soldiers further reinforce our unwavering commitment and resolve to safeguarding our nation at all costs”.