State media report that security forces have been rescuing passengers who were taken hostage by terrorists after they opened fire at a passenger train bound for Peshawar from Quetta, near Balochistan’s Bolan District on Tuesday.
Media outlets owned by the state Radio Pakistan You can also find out more about the following: PTV News Reports citing “security” sources claimed that terrorists had attacked Jaffar Express at Dhadar in Bolan Pass, and taken hostages, women and children included, while still in contact with “foreign facilitators”. Security forces surrounded the area, and began a clearing operation to free all passengers.
Mashkaf is a part of an extensive network of tunnels located approximately 157 km from Quetta, and 21 km from Sibi. The Quetta-Jacobabad N65 runs mostly alongside the railway, but they diverge at Mashkaf. The railway takes a direct route, slicing through the mountain range and following the Bolan river, before rejoining the main highway near Mach. Mashkaf tunnel is situated in a very rough terrain. The nearest station to it is Pehro Kunri. Paneer is the next station on the route towards Quetta, and it’s just past the Paneer Tunnel. Credit Abdul Moiz Malik
The next update will be released in the future. Radio Pakistan Reports stated that 80 terrorist hostages had been rescued by security forces. According to sources in the security sector, 43 men, 25 women, and 11 children were rescued. Security personnel are working hard to rescue all remaining passengers.
The outlet, in a late-night update, reported the death of 13 terrorists and the injuries suffered by many others.
According to sources in the security sector, terrorists have split up into smaller groups as a result of security force operations. The report said that injured passengers were transferred to a nearby hospital, while extra security teams are participating in the operations in the region.
BLA Claims Attack
It was claimed that the Balochistan Liberation Army, a banned group, is responsible for this attack.
In an interview, we elaborate on this development. Geo News Talal Chaudhry, the Minister of state for interior Talal Chaudhry stated that the train had been taken hostage in the area around midday.
He claimed that “some passengers were released as the security forces arrived on the scene,” adding that the number of those freed was not known.
The freed passengers are being transported to their destinations and the closest station. The women and children were used to shield the men who had been taken from the train and into the mountains. [by the terrorists]” Chaudhry said.
According to the state minister, security forces are treading cautiously because lives were involved. He said that the operation is still ongoing.
They are all cowards. “They are cowards. [pick] Soft targets. “They attack when they are hidden,” said he.
Emergency Situation
Shahid Rind, the spokesperson for the Balochistan Government at that time, said reports had been received of an “intense shooting” on a Jaffar Express. [train]”A train was travelling from Quetta towards Peshawar between Pehro Kunri & Gadalar”.
According to Muhammad Kashif, the controller of railways, this train has nine coaches and around 500 passengers.
The train was stopped in Tunnel No. 8 by armed men. The controller stated that efforts are made to reach the staff and passengers.
The trains have become stuck at the entrance to a mountain tunnel, said Rana Muhammad Dilawar of Kachhi Bolan district police. Dawn.com.
Reuters Security forces reported hearing an explosion near the tunnel, and exchanging gunfire with militants on the mountains.
Mashkaf Tunnel lies around 157 km from Quetta, and about 21km from Sibi.
The Quetta-Jacobabad N65 Highway and the Railway Line run mostly parallel through the Bolan Region, but diverge at Mashkaf.
The railway takes a direct route from here. It cuts through the mountain range and runs along the Bolan river, before rejoining the main highway near Mach.
It is situated in an isolated area of rugged terrain, and the closest station to it is Pehro Kungri. Next stop is Paneer which is just before the Paneer Tunnel.
The government has issued a statement stating that an emergency situation had been declared at the Sibi Hospital, and ambulances as well as security personnel were en route to the scene of the accident. Rind said that the rocky terrain was causing officials to have difficulty reaching the incident site.
The scale of the event and whether terrorist elements could be involved are currently being assessed. “The Balochistan Government has issued an order to take emergency measures and that all institutions stay active.”
Rind called on the public to be calm and to avoid listening to rumors.
Tariq Mahmood is the person in charge of the emergency counter at Peshawar railway station, which was set up to deal with the incident. Dawn.com The Jaffar express “reaches Peshawar after having passed through four different provinces in just 34 hours”. The train departs from Quetta and most people board it from various areas in Punjab.
According to Dr Waseembaig, spokesperson for the Health Department, an emergency was also declared at Quetta’s Civil Hospital. Baig stated that “all consultants, doctors and pharmacists as well as staff nurses, paramedical personnel, and staff nurses have been called to the hospital.”
Condemnations
Asif Ali Zardari condemned the incident strongly and paid tribute for the “effective actions” of the security forces in rescuing the passengers.
Attacks against innocent passengers and citizens are barbaric and inhumane. Balochistan’s traditions and Balochistan are attacked by those who assault passengers.
The Baloch people reject those who take innocent children, elderly and passengers hostage and attack them. “No religion or society can tolerate such atrocities,” the President said in a press release.
In a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office, PM Shehbaz praised the security forces’ “timely actions and bravery” for rebuffing the terrorists.
The president said that the team would finish the operation as soon as possible and bring the “cowardly terrorists” to justice.
The cowardly and beastly terrorists that carried out this attack deserve no concession. He said that terrorists were the enemy of Balochistan’s development.
We will fight against terrorism and its monster until the entire country is free of it. We will stop every attempt to create chaos and insecurity in Pakistan.
We will not allow anti-national elements’ evil plans to be successful. “The entire nation is behind its security forces as they fight terrorism,” said the Premier.
Mohsin Nqvi, the Interior Minister of Pakistan, condemned the incident and said: “The animals who shoot at innocent passengers don’t deserve any concessions.”
According to a press release, he also asked for the quick recovery of the injured.
The incident was also condemned by the Sindh Minister of Home Ziaul Hassan Lanjar.
The statement stated that “the heinous anti-national, anti-social plans will never be permitted to continue.” The Sindh Government stands by the Balochistan Government.
The provincial police will be able to bring the situation under control.
Arif Alvi, the former president of Pakistan, condemned this “heinous terrorist act” and said that people have a common stand in such cases. In a blog post, he stated that the armed services must pay undivided focus to this issue.
Balochistan: a new terror threat
Pakistan Railways announced in October of last year that train services would be restored between Quetta, Pakistan and Peshawar following a suspension lasting more than one month.
Balochistan is experiencing an increase in terror attacks. A suicide bombing in November 2024 left at least 26 dead and 62 wounded after it ripped through the Quetta Railway Station.
According to a security report published in January 2014 by Islamabad’s Pak Institute for Peace Studies, in 2024 the number of terrorist attacks will be comparable with the situation that existed in 2014.
The report said, while the terrorists did not control specific areas in Pakistan like they used to in 2014 but that insecurity was still prevalent in certain parts of KP (Kashmir) and Balochistan.
Over 95 percent of the terrorist attacks that will be recorded by 2024 are concentrated in KP/Balochistan.
It said that the number of attacks by outlawed Baloch groups (primarily the BLA, and Balochistan liberation front) increased by a stunning 119 percent, with 171 incidents occurring in Balochistan.
Nadir Guramani and Saleem Sharif contributed additional reporting. Behram baloch also provided some reports.
