Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry has accused India of being the primary sponsor behind the Jaffar Express hijacking in Balochistan.
Speaking at a press conference alongside Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti, Lt. Gen. Chaudhry detailed the security operation that led to the rescue of hostages and neutralization of terrorists. He also condemned Indian media for spreading misinformation and manipulating social media narratives.
The attack occurred on March 11 at around 1:00 PM when an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was detonated near the Quetta-to-Peshawar train, followed by an armed assault. The attackers, operating in coordinated groups, took hostages and used women and children as human shields before retreating into mountainous terrain.
Swift Security Response
Pakistan’s security forces, including Zarrar Company and FC Balochistan, swiftly launched a clearance operation. Within 36 hours, 33 terrorists were neutralized, and all hostages were safely rescued. DG ISPR hailed the operation as one of the most successful counterterrorism efforts in Pakistan’s history, emphasizing that all civilian casualties occurred before security forces intervened.
Foreign Involvement and Misinformation Campaign
Lt. Gen. Chaudhry claimed the attackers had links with handlers in Afghanistan and used foreign weapons. He criticized Indian media for fabricating reports and circulating AI-generated videos to distort facts. He also presented evidence of outdated footage being misused to spread propaganda.
Balochistan Leadership’s Condemnation
Chief Minister Bugti condemned the attack, stating that those responsible do not represent Baloch nationalism. He praised security forces for their swift response and acknowledged international support from several countries and organizations.
The attack, which targeted a train carrying 440 passengers, resulted in the deaths of 21 people. Authorities have since reinforced security on railway routes and public transport, vowing to prevent future incidents and hold India accountable for its alleged involvement.
