Pakistan’s Military Completes Hostage Rescue, Vows to Change the Rules of Engagement
Islamabad [Pakistan], March 13: The Pakistan Army has declared the completion of the clearance operation following the hijacking of the Jaffar Express train in Balochistan, stating that all 33 terrorists involved in the attack have been killed, according to a report by Dawn citing the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
Terrorists Used Passengers as Human Shields
Lt General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, ISPR Director General, confirmed the successful rescue of all hostages and the elimination of the militants who had taken control of the train on March 11.
“On March 11 in Bolan, terrorists targeted a railroad track around 1 pm, blew it up, and stopped the Jaffar Express. According to railway officials, the train had 440 passengers,” General Chaudhry stated.
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), designated as a terrorist group by Pakistan, had claimed responsibility for the attack. However, General Chaudhry made no mention of the group in his statement.
The Jaffar Express was traveling from Quetta to Peshawar when it was intercepted by armed militants in a tunnel near Sibbi. The attack resulted in the death of the train driver and left at least 37 people injured, according to a Voice of America (VOA) report.
Military Operation: Air Force, Frontier Corps, and Special Services Group Involved
General Chaudhry highlighted that the operation was complex, as the terrorists used women and children as human shields. The Pakistan Army, Air Force, Frontier Corps, and Special Services Group (SSG) commandos were deployed to neutralize the attackers and secure the hostages.
“These terrorists were in contact with their supporters and masterminds in Afghanistan during the operation via satellite phone,” General Chaudhry stated.
The military confirmed the deaths of 21 hostages before the final operation was launched.
“All 33 Terrorists Sent to Hell”
Describing the final clearance operation, General Chaudhry confirmed that all 33 militants had been eliminated.
“Yes, all present terrorists there have been sent to hell, and their total number was 33,” he declared.
He added that no further passengers were injured during the final military assault, though three Frontier Corps (FC) personnel had died in action, and one soldier was killed during the earlier phase of the rescue mission on Tuesday.
The Pakistan Army has also recovered hostages who fled to surrounding areas during the operation, ensuring their safe return.
“This Incident Changes the Rules of the Game”
Chaudhry vowed that Pakistan would not allow such acts of terrorism to go unpunished.
“No one can be permitted to make innocent people of Pakistan the victim of their barbarism in the streets, trains, buses, or markets because of their misleading ideas and foreign masters’ instructions.”
He further warned, “Whoever does this will be hunted down and brought to justice. Let me say it very clearly: this incident of Jaffar Express changes the rules of the game.”
Pakistan Shows Drone Footage of the Attack
During his briefing, Chaudhry presented drone footage of the hostage situation. He pointed to groups of passengers huddled together, indicating that suicide bombers were strategically placed among them.
“Suicide bombers were sitting amid the passengers, which is why our military took slow and careful action to ensure their safety,” he explained.
After eliminating the first set of suicide bombers, hostages managed to flee to surrounding areas. The final phase of the operation involved Pakistani forces storming the train bogey by bogey, eliminating the remaining militants inside the carriages.
The Aftermath & Next Steps
Following the successful operation, a bomb disposal squad was deployed to clear the railway track and inspect the train for further threats. Authorities have secured the area, and train services are expected to resume after safety inspections.
While the Baloch Liberation Army has yet to issue a response, Pakistan’s military has vowed to escalate its counterterrorism efforts in Balochistan and border regions.
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Pakistan Army, Jaffar Express Hijack, Pakistan Terror Attack, Baloch Liberation Army, Balochistan Militants, Counterterrorism, ISPR, Military Operations, Pakistan Railways, National Security
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