Security forces successfully rescued at least 80 hostages, including women and children, after terrorists took control of the Jaffar Express in Balochistan’s Bolan region on Tuesday, according to security sources.
The train, carrying over 400 passengers across nine bogies, was en route from Quetta to Peshawar when it was ambushed. Among those freed were 53 men, 26 women, and 11 children, while efforts to secure the remaining passengers continue. Security forces have intensified operations against the militants, tightening the encirclement around them.
Shortly after the assault began, security forces surrounded the train, engaging in a heavy exchange of fire. Sources revealed that the attackers are in communication with their mastermind in Afghanistan and are using women and children as human shields, making the operation particularly sensitive.
The situation is further complicated by the rugged terrain of the area, which has hindered rescue efforts. The assailants detonated explosives on the railway track before boarding the train and also fired at the locomotive, injuring the driver. Security personnel onboard retaliated, leading to a prolonged standoff.
The train was brought to a halt near a tunnel in a remote, mountainous region bordering Afghanistan and Iran. A senior railway official confirmed that over 450 passengers were initially taken hostage. Despite the challenging landscape, security reinforcements reached the scene in the Mushqaf area of Bolan to launch an operation.
Emergency Measures
In response to the crisis, the Balochistan government implemented emergency protocols, mobilizing all relevant institutions. A relief train and additional security personnel were dispatched to the location, while emergency services were activated in Sibi and Quetta’s Civil Hospital. The provincial health department called in medical and paramedical staff, vacating several hospital wards in preparation for potential casualties.
An emergency information desk was also set up at Quetta Railway Station, with an official designated to provide updates on the incident.
Condemnations and Reactions
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi strongly condemned the attack, calling for strict action against those responsible. “Those who fire upon innocent passengers deserve no mercy,” he stated.
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari labeled the attack a “cowardly act” and emphasized that terrorists remain the greatest threat to the country.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur expressed concern for the safety of the hostages, hoping for their swift recovery. Awami National Party (ANP) President Aimal Wali Khan also denounced the attack, calling for decisive action against the perpetrators.
Surge in Militant Attacks
Pakistan has witnessed a sharp rise in terrorist incidents, with January 2025 seeing a 42% increase compared to the previous month, according to the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS).
The think tank reported 74 militant attacks nationwide, resulting in 91 deaths, including 35 security personnel, 20 civilians, and 36 militants. Additionally, 117 people were injured, including 53 security officers, 54 civilians, and 10 militants.
Balochistan has experienced a surge in violence, with 24 attacks recorded in January alone, claiming 26 lives, including 11 security personnel, six civilians, and nine militants.
