The Pakistan Army, along with the air force, Frontier Corps (FC), and Special Services Group (SSG), has successfully completed a high-stakes rescue operation against terrorists who attacked the Jaffar Express near Bolan in Balochistan.
The operation resulted in the elimination of 33 terrorists, while all hostages were rescued in a phased manner, according to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry.
He told a private news channel that the terrorists derailed the train around 1am on March 11, targeting civilians in a brutal act of terrorism. Tragically, 21 passengers were killed due to their brutality. Security forces swiftly launched a recovery operation, conducting it with utmost skill and caution to ensure maximum safety for the hostages.
“Targeting civilians on roads, trains, and markets cannot be allowed,” DG ISPR stated, reaffirming the military’s commitment to eliminating terrorist threats.
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During the initial operation, four FC personnel embraced martyrdom while bravely fighting against the militants, however, he said, no soldier was martyred during the clearance operation on Wednesday. The bomb disposal squad was deployed to inspect the train for any potential explosives.
Security forces also revealed that the terrorists had been in contact with elements in Afghanistan. While most militants were neutralized, some managed to flee to nearby areas, and efforts are underway to track and eliminate them.
According to railway authorities, there were 440 passengers on board the train when the attack occurred. Despite the difficult terrain and the terrorists using hostages as human shields, security forces executed a well-coordinated operation, ensuring the rescue of a large number of passengers.
The military spokesperson declared that the attack has changed the rules of the game, signaling a decisive shift in how Pakistan tackles terrorism. He said that during the operation, suicide bombers were specifically targeted after which the hostage passengers scattered to seek safety.
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The terrorists had divided the hostages into three groups, each of which included a suicide bomber. However, the Pakistan Army executed the operation with precision, ensuring that not a single hostage was harmed.
"These terrorists have no connection with Islam, Pakistan, or Balochistan," the ISPR DG stated, reaffirming the state’s determination to hunt down anyone involved in such heinous acts.
DG Chaudhry also condemned the Indian media’s misleading reporting, stating that within minutes of the attack, false narratives were being spread to manipulate the facts.
Lt Gen Chaudhry stressed the need for political and social leadership to play a proactive role in countering extremism, asking where they were at the moment.
The ISPR DG questioned the current state of the narrative built in the National Action Plan (NAP), urging authorities to enforce the structure more effectively. He called for strict legal action against the terrorists involved in the attack, emphasizing that they should be punished according to the law to prevent future threats.
Highlighting the daily sacrifices made by security forces, the military’s spokesman described them as an ongoing resistance. He revealed that 160 intelligence-based operations (IBOs) are being carried out daily.
The army spokesperson also criticized elements that mislead the public, asking them to first figure out the law. “The public is gradually understanding the hands involved in anarchic politics.”
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The DG ISPR warned that some political forces are sacrificing national interests in their pursuit of power. “Instead of condemning terrorism, some individuals justify these acts and manipulate narratives for their own interests,” he said.
He further pointed out that certain social media groups become active after terror incidents, pushing false narratives to create unrest.
Referring to terrorists' connections with foreign elements, DG ISPR stated that their nexus with their handlers has been exposed. He particularly criticized Indian media, accusing it of using AI-generated content, old footage, and misleading images to create propaganda against Pakistan.
Earlier, according to security sources, 190 passengers were safely rescued, and 30 terrorists killed during the rescue operation. They said that a large number of hostage passengers, including women and children, who were being used as human shields, were rescued.
Reports indicated earlier that suicide bombers among the terrorists were using women and children as human shields to deter security forces, leading to extreme care and caution in the rescue mission.
Meanwhile, a relief train for the 40 more released hostages at the Panir railway station has been dispatched from Quetta, as an operation remains underway to reclaim custody of the train taken hostage near Mushkaf. It is said that security personnel were also on board the train.
