BLA hijacked Jaffar Express in Balochistan, killing 30 and taking 214 hostages. Security forces launch an operation to rescue passengers.
Terrorists attacked Jaffar Express in Mashkaf, Dhadar, and Bolan territory of Balochistan. Police SSP of Bolan Rana Muhammad Dilawar stated that terrorists hijacked a train near Tunnel No. 8 of Bolan.
The militants began with explosions, followed by firing in which the train driver got killed. The train departed from Quetta for Peshawar at 9 AM in the morning, and it had almost 450 passengers, according to Railway Station Quetta.
They also stated that they were informed about this attack at 01:20 PM. Police have confirmed that a large troop of security officers has reached the Red Zone.
Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi condemned this incident and stated, “These beasts do not deserve any kind of concession.”
The attackers are in contact with their overseas facilitators. According to security forces, terrorists are using females and children as their shield, because of which the clearance operation is being carried out with immense care.
Militants killed 30 people, including passengers and railway officials, after hijacking the train and injured several. Whereas 13 terrorists have been killed and 80 passengers are rescued by officials as per security sources.
The terrorists have splintered into smaller groups, exchanging gunfire with security officials. CM Balochistan Mir Srfaraz Bugti ensured that the operation will continue until the last terrorist is eliminated.
Emergency has been imposed in all the nearby hospitals by the Health Ministry, and injured passengers have been shifted to hospitals via ambulances.
BLA (Baloch Liberation Army) has taken responsibility for this incident and demanded the release of Baloch activists. They have taken 214 people hostage and given a deadline of 48 hours.
Major Gen. GD Bakshi said while speaking to ANI, “These are precision operations that our NSG carries out very well, but the Pak Army has a style to show off and bring major artillery.
I think that the Pakistan army will carry out a ham-handed operation that may kill many civilians,” he further stated, “I think the time for the birth of Balochistan has come.”
Terrorism has been increasing in the past few months; even Bannu Cantt was attacked last week. Balochistan is enriched with mineral resources and can contribute to the betterment of the economic condition.
In order to get control over this kind of attack, national action plans should be implemented, and there should be strict security on borders. The government should use a comprehensive approach and take superior actions by resolving political conflicts and using the latest technology to eliminate terrorism from our country.
If these measures are not taken immediately, terrorism may spread to major cities, posing a significant threat to Pakistan.
