Pakistan Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi has announced Rs5.2 million for each family of those killed in the Jaffar Express train attack, along with employment opportunities for the victims’ children.
On March 11, terrorists belonging to Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) attacked and hijacked Jaffar Express train in Balochistan, taking more than 300 passengers hostage.
Director General (DG) of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lt General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry on March 12 disclosed that that the security forces had rescued all hostages aboard Jaffar Express while killing 33 terrorists.
According to DG ISPR, terrorists had targeted passengers which led to martyrdom of 21 civilians and four FC soldiers.
Abbasi on Thursday lashed out at Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for allegedly being on the same page with Indian entities in targeting Pakistan armed forces.
He accused PTI of receiving huge funds to propagate its anti-state narrative. Meanwhile, he announced that the government would offer the victims’ children jobs in the Railways department.
The senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader commended the Pakistan Army for their swift response and highly successful rescue mission.
“Commandos prevented suicide bombers from detonating inside the Jaffar Express,” he added.
The Minister expressed concerns over the growing terrorism incidents across the country, especially in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Hanif claimed that India was behind the instability in the region because it does not want to see Pakistan succeed, particularly the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
However, Hanif Abbasi urged political opponents to set aside differences and unite for national security. “Now is the time to come together on one platform,” he said, stressing that Pakistan was facing an existential threat.
The federal minister also outlines plans to modernise security at railway stations, admitting that railway scanners and police resources were inadequate.
