Quetta [Pakistan], March 12 (ANI): Pakistan‘s security forces rescued 104 hostages held by “terrorists” after the Jaffar Express train was attacked at Bolan Pass in Balochistan, ARY News reported citing security sources.
Hundreds of train passengers were held hostage by “terrorists” after the attack on the train.
Security forces have rescued 104 hostages from “terrorist” captivity, including 58 men, 31 women, and 15 children, according to security sources. 16 “terrorists” have been killed and many others have been injured, officials said.
According to security officials, “terrorists” suffered heavy losses in this operation and split into small groups.
As many as 17 injured passengers were taken to the nearby hospital for treatment. Additional security squads were taking part in the operation in the area, according to ARY News report.
Jaffar Express heading from Quetta to Peshawar was attacked by a group of “terrorists”, leaving the driver with serious injuries in Balochistan‘s Bolan Pass and targeting innocent civilians. The terrorists stopped the train in a tunnel and held the passengers, including women and children, captive.
The region is considered highly inaccessible, however, a clearance operation has been launched by security forces to rescue the hostages. The “terrorists” were surrounded by forces and an exchange of fire is underway. According to security sources, “terrorists” are in touch with their facilitators in Afghanistan and making use of women and children as human shields.
An operation against the “terrorists” is being conducted with extreme caution due to the difficult terrain and the risk to the hostages‘ lives. Emergency was declared in all hospitals in Sibbi after the incident happened in Balochistan, ARY News reported.
On Tuesday, the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) in a statement said that it has taken as hostages passengers of the Jaffar Express train that it seized in Pakistan, adding that it will execute the captives if Pakistani forces launch an operation.
In a statement, the BLA said that they have “completely repelled the Pakistani military’s ground assault following the seizure of Jaffar Express. After intense clashes, Pakistani ground troops were forced to retreat, but airstrikes from helicopters and drones continue unabated.”
“The BLA issues a final warning: if the aerial bombardment is not halted immediately, all 100+ hostages will be executed within the next hour. Majeed Brigade, STOS, Fateh Squad, and ZIRAB Unit fighters are actively engaged in countermeasures, and any further military incursion will have catastrophic consequences,” the statement read.
“Over 100 enemy personnel remain in BLA custody. The occupying forces still have a chance to cease airstrikes and save their men, or else the Pakistani military will bear full responsibility for the execution of all hostages,” the statement by Jeeyand Baloch, spokesperson for the Baloch Liberation Army read.
Different trains, including the Jaffar Express, have been targeted several times in terrorist attacks in Balochistan, according to an ARY News report. Earlier in November, at least 26 people were killed and over 40 others were injured, including women and children, in an explosion that took place at a platform on Quetta railway station. (ANI)
Pakistan: Survivors share horrific experience of Jaffar Express attack
Quetta [Pakistan], March 12 (ANI): Survivors of the Jaffar Express attack have recounted the terrifying experience, describing the panic and fear that spread during the incident near Machh, Balochistan, according to a report by ARY News.
One of the survivors stated, “After the explosion, we had no idea what was happening. Armed men checked the identity cards of the passengers on the train.”
According to ARY News, Noor Muhammad, a passenger on the Jaffar Express, stated,””After the blast, there was intense gunfire, and we had to run for our lives.”
A female survivor expressed, “We were sitting in the train when suddenly a blast occurred, and we were ordered to step out. We had to walk for two hours after the attack.”
Passenger Muhammad Ashraf described the situation as catastrophic, stating, “It felt like the end of the world. Panic was everywhere. The attackers spared the women and elderly passengers. There were over 100 armed assailants.” He also noted that the Pakistan Army personnel at Paneer Station offered assistance and reassured the terrified passengers.
On the other hand, Pakistan security forces have rescued 155 hostages who were captured by terrorists during an attack on the Jaffar Express at Balochistan’s Bolan Pass, killing 27 of the attackers, as reported by ARY News.
Some injured passengers have been transferred to a nearby hospital, while additional security teams are participating in the operation in the area. (ANI)
Balochistan: BLA threatens to execute Pakistani hostages after military strikes, issues 48-hour ultimatum
Quetta [Balochistan], March 12 (ANI): The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has threatened to execute ten Pakistani hostages in retaliation for drone strikes and artillery shelling by Pakistani forces and also issued a 48-hour ultimatum demanding Pakistan to release forcibly disappeared activist, amidst the ongoing hostage situation in Balochistan’s Bolan district, as reported by the Balochistan Post.
In a media statement, BLA spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch accused Pakistan‘s military of executing “irresponsible and foolish military aggression”, claiming that drone strikes and artillery shelling targeted BLA positions near the hijacked Jaffar Express train.
According to the Balochistan Post, he further stated that the attacks demonstrated Pakistan‘s inability to make responsible decisions about a prisoner exchange and accused the authorities of being motivated only by “war madness and stubbornness.”
However, he asserted that none of the BLA fighters were injured thanks to their “superior defensive strategies and full control of the battlefield.”
Jeeyand Baloch warned,” In response to today’s reckless bombardment, we are forced to execute ten more hostages immediately. If Pakistani forces launch another attack–even a single bullet–ten additional hostages will be executed immediately.”
Earlier, Pakistani military sources reported that at least 13 insurgents involved in the attack had been killed, with several others wounded. Military officials also stated that intense gunfire exchanges were ongoing as the insurgents broke into smaller groups.
However, these claims have not been independently confirmed, and the BLA strongly denied them, calling the Pakistani military’s statements “outright fabrications meant to deceive the public and cover up the army’s defeat.”
Jeeyand Baloch further claimed, “Pakistani state institutions are attempting to hide their failure by claiming successes they have not achieved.”
The hostage crisis began Tuesday afternoon when BLA fighters seized control of the Jaffar Express near Machh in Balochistan’s Bolan district, taking over 200 Pakistani military, paramilitary, police, and intelligence personnel as hostages.
The BLA initially issued a 48-hour ultimatum, demanding the immediate release of detained Baloch political prisoners, forcibly disappeared activists, and captured resistance fighters.
BLA spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch also stated that the group had repelled Pakistani ground and aerial reinforcements after intense fighting that lasted over eight hours, the Balochistan Post cited.
In its most recent statement, the BLA renewed its ultimatum, which now has less than 40 hours left, as reported by the Balochistan Post.
Jeeyand Baloch cautioned, “If our demands are not met within the remaining time, or if Pakistani forces attempt any further military intervention, all prisoners of war will be executed, and the seized train will be completely destroyed.”
Pakistani authorities have yet to officially respond to the BLA’s ultimatum or recent threats. The situation remains tense and unpredictable, with additional updates expected. (ANI)
