Pakistan's 'Jaffar Express' hijack update: 16 terrorists killed, 104 passengers freed, rescue ops underway
Pakistan's 'Jaffar Express' hijack update: 16 terrorists killed, 104 passengers freed, rescue ops underway
Digital Desk: After a passenger train was hijacked on Tuesday, security authorities in Pakistan's Balochistan region successfully rescued 104 people, killing at least 16 rebels.
Armed soldiers associated with the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) stopped the Jaffar Express, which was traveling from Quetta to Peshawar with about 400 people in nine coaches, at a tunnel close to the stony areas of Gudalar and Piru Kunri.
According to officials quoted by news agency PTI, security forces were able to liberate 104 passengers—including women and children—during a fierce gunfight. Local authorities are trying to make sure that every passenger is safe while the rescue effort continues.
According to reports, some hostages have been carried into the highlands, leading security authorities to continue their pursuit despite the rugged terrain.
The press reports informed that the rescued people—58 men, 31 women, and 15 children—were transported to Mach, a town in Balochistan's Kachhi region, by another train.
According to a PTI source, the separatists have broken into smaller groups in an attempt to flee under the cover of darkness, but security personnel have surrounded the tunnel and are working to rescue the remaining passengers.
Earlier, Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind said that the security forces had successfully evacuated 80 passengers, including 43 men, 26 women, and 11 children.
While authorities have not provided any information, Rind stated that military personnel arrived at the remote tunnel location shortly after being informed of the hijacking.
According to Pakistani media agencies, there was heavy gunfire and explosions in the location where the train was hijacked.
Rana Muhammad Dilawar, the district police officer for the region, reported that four to five government officials were on board. Meanwhile, the BLA had previously claimed to have kidnapped multiple security personnel, though officials have not confirmed this claim.
Following the terrorist attack on the Jaffar Express, Pakistan Railways temporarily halted all train services between Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan on Tuesday, reported as cited in an article in Dawn.
