A terrorist attack targeted the Jaffar Express, traveling from Quetta to Peshawar, in the Bolan Pass region, where passengers were reportedly taken hostage, according to security sources.
The attackers halted the train inside a tunnel on Tuesday, creating a tense situation. Despite the difficult terrain and remote location, security forces swiftly cordoned off the area and launched a clearance operation to neutralize the threat.
According to sources, most of the hostages are innocent civilians, including women and children. Reports indicate that the assailants were in contact with facilitators abroad. Authorities have vowed to continue the operation until all terrorists are eliminated.
“Targeting innocent passengers demonstrates that these terrorists have no allegiance to Islam, Pakistan, or Balochistan,” security officials stated.
Earlier reports suggested that the Jaffar Express came under heavy gunfire between Gudalur and Peru Kanri, resulting in serious injuries to the train driver and wounding several passengers.
Railway officials confirmed that approximately 450 passengers were aboard the train’s nine coaches at the time of the attack, raising concerns about their safety. Communication with both the passengers and crew has reportedly been lost.
Security forces responded immediately, dispatching teams to the site and initiating a search operation to track down the attackers.
Attackers May Have Seized Control of the Train
Levies officials reported that armed assailants ambushed the Jaffar Express near Tunnel No. 8 at Peru Kanri, situated on the border between Sibi and Bolan.
Security personnel are working to regain control of the situation, while emergency measures have been implemented at Civil Hospitals in Sibi and Dhadar to provide medical assistance to the injured.
Unverified reports suggest that the attackers may have seized control of the train, raising fears of an escalating hostage crisis. Authorities are actively investigating these claims while intensifying efforts to secure the train and ensure passenger safety.
Official Response
Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind confirmed that the attack occurred in a remote and rugged area, complicating access for security and rescue teams.
“An emergency has been declared at Sibi Hospital, and ambulances have been dispatched to aid the injured,” he stated.
The Railways Department has deployed a relief train to the location, while security forces are assessing the situation and working to safeguard the passengers.
Authorities suspect that the attack could be an act of terrorism, and emergency protocols have been activated across relevant institutions. “The government is taking urgent measures, and all agencies are on high alert,” Rind added, urging the public to remain calm and refrain from spreading unverified information.
