In a shocking terrorist attack, the Jaffar Express, a passenger train traveling from Quetta to Peshawar, was hijacked by Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) militants near the Bolan Pass in Balochistan province. The attackers used explosives to derail the train, before storming the nine-coach train and taking hundreds of passengers hostage.

Following an intense military operation, Pakistan’s security forces rescued all passengers, eliminating 33 BLA militants in the process. However, the attack claimed the lives of 28 soldiers, including 27 off-duty personnel who were traveling aboard the train and one soldier who died during the rescue mission.

PM Shehbaz Sharif Condemns Attack, Vows to Uphold Peace

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep sorrow over the loss of innocent lives and reaffirmed that such acts will not shake Pakistan’s resolve for peace.

"The entire nation is deeply shocked by this dastardly act and saddened by the loss of innocent lives—such cowardly acts will not shake Pakistan's resolve for peace," Sharif said in a statement on X (formerly Twitter).

He also spoke with Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti to discuss the latest developments in the attack.

"I offer 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 the terrorists have been sent to hell," Sharif added.

The Jaffar Express Hijacking: A Well-Coordinated Attack

The Jaffar Express, carrying around 500 passengers, was ambushed 160 kilometers from Quetta, in a tunnel near Gudalar and Piru Kunri.

• Explosives were used to derail the train.
• Militants stormed the carriages, taking passengers hostage.
• The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility, releasing a video of the attack showing explosions and gunmen surrounding the train.

The Pakistani military quickly mobilized, deploying the Army, Air Force, Frontier Corps, and Special Services Group (SSG) commandos to launch a high-risk rescue mission.

How the Rescue Mission Unfolded

According to military spokesperson Lt Gen Ahmad Sharif, the operation was extremely complex, as terrorists initially used passengers, including women and children, as human shields. This delayed the security forces’ assault.

• Around 100 hostages were freed on Tuesday, while the rest were rescued during the final clearance phase on Wednesday.
• Snipers first took down suicide bombers stationed near the train compartments.
• Elite commandos conducted a compartment-by-compartment sweep to ensure no hostages were harmed.

Officials confirmed that no civilians were killed in the final assault, marking the successful completion of the rescue mission.

BLA’s Growing Militancy in Balochistan

The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has intensified its attacks against the Pakistani state, demanding independence for Balochistan. The group has been linked to several high-profile attacks on security forces, infrastructure, and Chinese projects in Pakistan.

The Jaffar Express hijacking marks one of the most daring terrorist attacks in recent history, raising concerns about Pakistan’s internal security situation.

What’s Next?

Pakistan’s security forces have launched follow-up operations to track remaining militants involved in the attack. Meanwhile, PM Shehbaz Sharif has vowed to take strict action against terrorist elements.

With terrorist threats still looming, Pakistan’s military is on high alert, ensuring such incidents do not repeat in the future.

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