Security forces claim to have rescued 190 passengers of Jaffar Express and killed 30 terrorists in an operation launched early on Wednesday.
Terrorists blew up railway track and stopped the passenger train en route to Peshawar from Balochistan capital Quetta on Tuesday. They took more than 400 passengers hostage.
They have been battling security forces, who conducted a rescue operation after the attack.
According to security sources, heavy firing has been continuing between forces and terrorists. The terrorists have been surrounded and the operation will continue until the last terrorist is eliminated, they quoted security officers as having said.
As the clearance operation is going on, the terrorists have divided hostages into small groups, sources said, adding that the security forces were trying to secure release of the remaining hostages.
Sources stated that the terrorists had been in contact with their facilitators in Afghanistan. “There are also suicide bombers among the terrorists who have been placed near hostages,” said sources.
Also read: UN slams terrorist attack on train in Balochistan
Reuters quoted a senior police officer as saying that the terrorists have claimed they are 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.
The Baloch Liberation Army, a separatist militant group, said it blew up the track and “swiftly took control of the train”.
The BLA has demanded the release within 48 hours of Baloch political prisoners, activists and missing persons it said had been abducted by the military.
“BLA is prepared for a prisoner exchange,” the group said.
THE OPERATION
Due to the presence of civilians, security forces are proceeding with extreme caution. Additionally, the rugged terrain of the area has further complicated the operation.
According to security officials, the assailants bombed the railway track before boarding the train and opened fire on the locomotive.
According to sources, the train departed Quetta at 9:30am and came under attack while passing through Pehro Kunri area in Bolan region.
Security forces cordoned off the area, which falls within the mountainous terrain near Machh. Mobile services in the area are unavailable.
EMERGENCY DECLARED
Emergency was declared at Sibi Hospital, and ambulances were dispatched to the scene soon after the incident.
The provincial government ordered emergency measures after the tragic incident.
“There are reports of intense firing at a Jaffar Express [train], which was heading from Quetta to Peshawar, between Pehro Kunri and Gadalar,” Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind said in a statement.
Meanwhile, an emergency was also declared at Quetta’s Civil Hospital.
GOVT PLEDGES TO FIGHT TOOTH AND NAIL
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the terrorist attack on Jaffar Express in Dhadar area of Bolan Pass.
In their separate statements, they lauded the security forces for their bravery and professionalism demonstrated in the operation against terrorists.
Federal Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control Mohsin Naqvi stays in contact with Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti after the horrific attack on the Peshawar-bound Jaffar Express.
Naqvi expressed sorrow over the loss of precious lives in the incident and assured the Balochistan chief minister of full support by the federal government. Both leaders lauded the security forces for their timely action.
Naqvi heaped praises on Bugti by saying that the Balochistan CM was a brave man.
Also read: 57 passengers of Jaffar Express rescued by security forces reach Quetta
At least 57 passengers who were taken hostage by the terrorists in attack on Jaffar Express in Bolan and were rescued during security forces operation have reached Quetta on late Tuesday night.
