PM Shehbaz Sharif departs for Quetta to allay fears after ghastly Jaffar Express incident
Pakistan
PM will preside over meeting to review law and order situation and take key decisions
ISPR says all the 33 terrorists were killed during Jaffar Express rescue operation in Balochistan's Bolan district
It points out Indian media propaganda by broadcasting old videos
Train driver survives gun attack, contacts his family
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has left for Quetta on a one-day visit.
During his visit, he will chair a high-level meeting on the security situation and receive a briefing on the recent terrorist attack on the Jaffer Express. Important decisions will be made to counter terrorism.
Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti contacted the Prime Minister to brief him on the latest developments regarding the attack. PM Shehbaz expressed his condolences to the families of the martyrs, stating that the entire nation is mourning this cowardly attack and the tragic loss of innocent lives and stated, “Such cowardly acts cannot shake Pakistan’s commitment to peace”.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister lauded security forces for their successful operation against the attackers on the Jaffer Express.
"The entire nation is deeply shocked by this dastardly act and saddened by the loss of innocent lives," he said. "I offer my heartfelt condolences to the families of the martyrs and pray that Allah grants them the highest ranks in Jannah. I also wish a swift recovery to the injured."
ISPR ANNOUNCES CONCLUSION OF OPERATION
Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said on Wednesday all the 33 terrorists were killed during the Jaffar Express rescue operation in Balochistan's Bolan district.
Speaking at Dunya News' programme On the Front, he revealed that 21 civilians had already been martyred before the operation began. The rescue mission concluded with the safe recovery of all passengers, though four FC personnel also embraced martyrdom.
Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry stated that the final clearance operation was carried out with extreme caution and professionalism, ensuring no harm came to the hostages. The terrorists had divided the passengers into three groups, and the rescue was executed step by step.
The operation involved personnel from the Pakistan Army, Air Force, FC, and SSG, he said.
The ISPR DG clarified that the terrorists responsible for the Jaffar Express attack had no connection with Islam or Balochistan.
He disclosed that the terrorists used passengers as human shields and targeted innocent people with the support and facilitation of foreign handlers.
He described the attack site as remote and difficult to access. Despite these challenges, security forces successfully rescued women and children.
The ISPR DG also pointed out that as soon as the incident occurred, Indian media broadcast old videos, exposing the link between terrorists and their supporters.
Also read: 33 terrorists killed, 25 people martyred in Jaffar Express operation: ISPR DG
THE GHASTLY INCIDENT
Terrorists blew up a railway track and stopped the passenger train en route to Peshawar from Balochistan capital Quetta on Tuesday. They took around 440 passengers hostage.
As the security forces responded, heavy firing continued for hours.
Reuters quoted a senior police officer as saying that the terrorists claimed they were holding 214 people. "The affected train is still on the spot and the armed men are holding up passengers," he added.
"Security forces launched a massive operation," he said, adding that helicopters and special forces had been deployed.
The train was trapped in a tunnel and the driver was killed after suffering serious injuries, local authorities, police and railway officials said. Later, the driver was found to be safe. Latest reports say the driver contacted his family and informed them about his safety.
The Baloch Liberation Army, a separatist militant group, said it blew up the track and "swiftly took control of the train".
