QUETTA: Terrorists have attacked a train Jaffar Express in Bolan, Balochistan while taking the civilians hostage, security sources have confirmed on March 11.
Update:
Director General (DG) of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lt General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry while talking on Dunya News programme on Wednesday revealed that the security forces have rescued all the hostages aboard Jaffar Express train during rescue operation.
He also confirmed that hostages were not hurt during the highly complex operation; however, terrorists had already killed 21 civilians before the rescue operation began.
According to DG ISPR, out of the 4 FC soldiers that were martyred, only one lost his life during the clearance operation while the other three were targeted during the terrorist attack.
“There were 440 passengers on the train and the hostages were released in stages
He has also confirmed that all 33 terrorists have been eliminated by the security forces while disclosing the Pakistan Air Force was also involved in the clearance operation.
Furthermore, he said that the attackers had placed the hostages in groups with suicide bombers sitting amongst them. The suicide bombers were taken out by security forces snipers,” he added.
He has also revealed that the clearance operation has been concluded.
Previously
According to security sources, the intense operation against the terrorists has entered its final stages after numerous hostages were rescued by the forces.
The sources also stated that all terrorists present at the scene have been killed while the number of martyred passengers is being determined by the authorities.
Security forces on March 12 have eliminated 30 terrorists who hijacked the Jaffar Express train in Balochistan and made more than 400 passengers hostage.
Meanwhile, 190 hostages have been rescued by the law enforcement agencies as operation to neutralise terrorists continue.
It should be highlighted that the terrorists are using hostages as human shields to protect themselves against security forces, making the operation highly difficult and risky.
37 injured people have been evacuated for medical treatment as the operation is still ongoing since March 11.
The United Nations has also condemned the cowardly terrorist attack as the unfortunate incident gains international attention.
On March 11, security forces managed to safely rescue 104 hostages onboard Jaffar Express which was hijacked and attacked by terrorists on Tuesday.
Those rescued include 58 men, 31 women and 15 children, according to security sources. Meanwhile, 16 terrorists have been killed while 17 injured passengers have been shifted to hospital.
It has also been revealed that the terrorists are in continuous touch with their handlers via satellite phone in neighboring Afghanistan.
The operation is ongoing to clear the area from militants.
Security sources have confirmed that 13 terrorists have been killed in the Jaffar Express by the forces while heavy exchange of fire continues. Reportedly, terrorists split into small groups after security forces took action.
Injured passengers have been shifted to a nearby hospital while additional security forces continue to take part in the operation.
Security forces have successfully rescued 80 passengers on the Jaffer Express in Balochistan as terrorists have fled towards the mountains. The released hostages include 43 men, 26 women and 11 children.
According to security sources, the terrorists targeted civilians at Dhadar, stopped the train in a tunnel and took 400 passengers hostage.
The sources have also revealed that the law enforcement agencies are actively chasing terrorist as some of them took hostages as human shields.
The exchange of fire is currently going on but the counter-insurgent operation seems to be challenging due to hostage situation and difficult terrain.
Railway officials disclosed that the train had a booking for 750 passengers as it left for Peshawar from Quetta around 9AM today.
The terrorists attacked the train at a tunnel number 8 where it routinely stopped around 1:15PM. The train driver was killed by terrorists’ firing as panic spread quickly.
Security sources have confirmed that the terrorists are using women and children hostages as human shields to protect themselves against security forces in the Jaffar Express.
“The terrorists behind the cowardly attack on the Jafar Express are in touch with their mastermind in Afghanistan. The complex operation is being carried out with utmost caution due to the use of women and children as shields and the difficult terrain,” updated the security sources.
According to security sources, Indian traditional and social media is currently engaged in creating false propaganda and misleading the general public about the terrorist attack in Jaffar express.
Reportedly, the nature of operation is extremely complex due to remote location of the train which is far away from roads and the active hostage situation.
Earlier, media reports claimed that the Jaffar Express had over 400 passengers which was on its way from Quetta to Peshawar when assailants open fired on the train and blew up the railway track.
“Today, terrorists attacked Jaffar Express at Bolan Pass, Dhadar and targeted innocent civilians,” security sources confirmed.
The security sources also disclosed that the train is far from the road and accessing the train is extremely difficult; however, authorities have cordoned off the are while starting a clearance operation.
“Terrorists have taken innocent passengers, most of whom are women and children, hostage. Terrorists are also in touch with their facilitators abroad,” stated the source.
This is a developing story…
