Pakistan Ends Jaffar Express Siege: 346 Hostages Freed, 30 Rebels Killed
Pakistan’s military concluded a day-long operation on Wednesday, freeing 346 hostages from the hijacked Jaffar Express in Balochistan after killing 30 Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) insurgents. The standoff, which claimed 28 soldiers’ lives, marked a violent escalation in the region’s insurgency.
The Jaffar Express, carrying around 500 passengers, was derailed and hijacked by BLA militants on Tuesday in a mountainous area 160 km from Quetta. The Pakistan Army launched a multi-pronged assault, including air support, to neutralize the threat. Lt Gen Ahmad Sharif confirmed, “All terrorists were killed, and all passengers were rescued safely by Wednesday evening.”
The military reported 21 passengers and four paramilitary soldiers killed during the siege. The BLA had claimed to execute 60 hostages, alleging they were security personnel, before the operation concluded. Over 300 rescued passengers, including women and children, were used as human shields by the insurgents, complicating the rescue.
Authorities stated that the insurgents wore explosive vests and grouped civilians together to deter attacks. “The operation was conducted with extreme precision and caution,” Lt Gen Sharif told Dunya News. The final clearance phase secured all remaining hostages by Wednesday evening, ending the crisis.
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This marked the first time Baloch insurgents targeted a passenger train, following a series of attacks on security forces. The BLA demanded the release of Baloch prisoners in exchange for hostages, a request unmet by authorities. Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti noted, “Our people have also been martyred, but details will follow later.”
Rescued passengers are being transported to their hometowns, while the injured receive treatment in Mach district hospitals. The operation’s success came amid heightened tensions in Balochistan, a resource-rich yet restive province. The BLA’s actions follow the recent formation of the Baloch National Army, signaling intensified resistance.
Authorities are expected to bolster security in Balochistan after this unprecedented attack. The government may release further details on casualties and the operation’s impact as investigations continue. The incident underscores ongoing challenges in addressing the Baloch insurgency.
