Pakistan Army Rescue All Remaining Hostages As Train Siege Ends; 21 Passengers, 33 Baloch Militants Killed

The Pakistan Army announced on Wednesday that the hijacking of the Jaffar Express had concluded, with 21 passengers and four paramilitary Frontier Corps soldiers killed by Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) militants who had seized control of the train.

Army spokesperson Lieutenant General Ahmad Sharif told Pakistani news channel Dunya News TV that all 33 militants involved in the attack had been eliminated.

Photo Credit: AP/PTI

"The armed forces successfully completed the operation on Wednesday evening by neutralising all terrorists and ensuring the safe rescue of all passengers," Sharif stated.

The Jaffar Express, carrying approximately 400 passengers across nine carriages, was travelling from Quetta to Peshawar when BLA militants derailed it using explosives and hijacked it near the mountainous region of Gudalar and Piru Kunri, inside a tunnel around 160 kilometres from Quetta.

The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attack on Tuesday, initially stating that they had killed six soldiers.

However, an army official informed AFP that 27 off-duty soldiers travelling as passengers on the train were killed.

"346 hostages were freed, and over 30 terrorists were eliminated during the operation," an army official told AFP, adding that 27 off-duty soldiers on board were killed by the militants, and one soldier died during the rescue operation.

'Entire Nation Deeply Shocked': Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif posted on X: "I spoke with Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti, who briefed me on the latest developments regarding the heinous terrorist attack on the Jaffar Express. The entire nation is deeply shocked by this brutal act and saddened by the loss of innocent lives-such cowardly attacks will not weaken Pakistan's resolve for peace."

"I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families of the martyrs. May Allah grant them the highest ranks in Jannah and bless those injured with a swift recovery. Dozens of terrorists have been sent to hell," Sharif added.

This marks the first time the BLA or any insurgent group in Balochistan has resorted to hijacking a passenger train. However, since last year, they have intensified attacks on security forces, infrastructure, and foreign nationals in various parts of the province.

In the past, railway tracks in this region have been targeted by Baloch militants using rockets or remote-controlled explosives, with the BLA claiming responsibility for most such incidents.