QUETTA: Armed men on Tuesday attacked Peshawar-bound Jaffar Express in Bolan district and hijacked the train taking over 400 passengers, including security personnel, hostage.
The security forces launched a massive operation after the incident and killed at least 16 militants. Ten other people, including the locomotive driver who was the first victim of the armed attack, have lost their lives.
Nine of those martyred were security personnel, Imran Hayat, a senior railway official, told CNN Tuesday night, adding that the train driver was also killed in the attack.
Security officials said that they rescued most of the passengers who were in the custody of armed men while the operation was going on in the mountainous area of Mushfaq area where the armed men escaped.
The banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the train attack and taking the passengers hostage.
It was the first time in the country’s history that armed men hijacked an entire train and all passengers onboard were taken hostage.
After security forces received word of the attack, they proceeded to the area with much difficulty due to the difficult terrain and cordoned off the area.
Security sources said earlier that the terrorists behind the attack are in contact with their mastermind in Afghanistan via satellite phones. Due to the operations of the security forces, the terrorists have been fragmented into smaller groups.
The Railways officials said that the train left for Peshawar at around 9am from Quetta Railway Station carrying over 450 passengers in nine coaches, including women and children. However, they received information at around 1pm that a train had come under attack between Paneer and Peshi railway stations near the railway tunnel No 8.
“Armed men fired rockets at the locomotive and opened fire that caused the stoppage of the train while the driver of the locomotive got seriously injured,” the officials said, adding that heavy exchange of fire took place between the security personnel, railway guards and the attackers.
The armed men after killing security personnel cordoned off the train, and after hijacking it, took all passengers hostage and started identifying the passengers through checking their national identity cards and took some passengers with them.
Earlier, armed men destroyed the railway line through blasts. The train service between Quetta and the rest of the country was suspended after the train attack and Jaffar Express coming Peshawar to Quetta was stopped at Sibi Railway Station.
Security officials said that a massive operation with extra care continued in the area, rescuing around 104 passengers who were shifted to Paneer Railway Station. Around 17 injured people were shifted to hospital. More hostages were also freed who would be shifted to safe places for their travel to Quetta through the relief train which was sent to Paneer area. Efforts were underway for safe recovery of remaining passengers.
Railway officials said that the 750 passengers were booked for traveling in Jaffar express but around 450 people were onboard. Sources said that over 200 security personnel were also travelling in the train.
Security officials said that security forces have condoned off the area and combing operations were continuing. The Frontier Corps (North) inspector general is leading the operation along with SSG personnel. Helicopters were also taking part in the operation. “We will continue operations until the elimination of the last terrorists,” security officials said, adding that more FC troops have reached the area.
Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the terrorist attack on Jaffar Express and praised the security forces for their effective and timely response.
The president lauded the valour of security forces for rescuing the passengers and said that attacks on innocent civilians and passengers were inhuman and condemnable acts.
The Baloch nation strongly opposed those elements who had taken unarmed passengers, elders and children as hostage, he added.
The president said neither any religion nor a society allowed such repugnant acts.
He also prayed for the early recovery of those who sustained injuries during the attack, President Secretariat Press Wing said in a press release.
The prime minister said that security forces officers and personnel were eliminating terrorists with bravely and professional capabilities during the ongoing response.
He said despite difficult terrain, the morale of the security forces was high and they were pushing back the coward terrorists with their timely action.
The prime minister expressed the hope that the security operation would soon meet with success and the terrorists would be eliminated, PM Office Media Wing said in a press release.
He said that inhuman terrorists did not deserve any concession. Terrorists were the enemies of progress and development of Balochistan province.
The prime minister said targeting of innocent passengers in the holy and blessed month of Ramazan ul Mubarak proved it clearly that terrorists had no relation with Islam, Pakistan and Balochistan.
He also expressed the resolve of continuation of fight against terrorism till complete eradication of this spectre from the country.
Any conspiracy to spread chaos and lawlessness in the country would be foiled, he said, adding that they would never allow enemies of the country to succeed in their nefarious designs.
The prime minister said in this fight against terrorism, the entire nation was standing shoulder to shoulder with their security forces.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif also strongly condemned the attack.
She prayed for the safe return of all passengers. She paid tribute to the security forces on conducting successful operations against the terrorists.
“Those who attacked innocent passengers are devoid of humanity. I pray from the bottom of my heart for the well-being and safety of every passenger,” she added.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi condemned the attack and prayed for the early recovery of the injured people. He added: “Beasts who opened fire on innocent passengers deserve no leniency.”
While condemning the attack, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said: “Terrorists are the biggest threat to Pakistan.”
“Targeting innocent citizens by terrorists is a coward act,” he added.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur also condemned the Jaffar Express incident and expressed concern for the safety of the train passengers taken hostage. He expressed wishes for their safe recovery.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) also strongly condemned the Jaffar Express incident saying that it served as a stark reminder of the illegitimate government’s failure to ensure the safety and security of its citizens. In a statement issued here, PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram slammed the government for losing the hard-achieved peace due to its misguided policies and misplaced political priorities. Awami National Party (ANP) President Aimal Wali Khan said that attacks on innocent citizens are unacceptable and demanded strict action against the terrorists.