Taliban Deny Afghanistan Link to Jaffar Express Hijack in Balochistan
The Taliban on Thursday dismissed Pakistan’s allegations of Afghan involvement in the Jaffar Express train hijacking in Balochistan, calling the claims baseless. The rebuttal follows a deadly standoff that ended with 33 Baloch militants and 25 passengers and soldiers killed.
Pakistan accused Afghanistan-based terrorist leaders of orchestrating the hijacking of the Jaffar Express on Tuesday. The train, traveling from Quetta to Peshawar, was ambushed in Balochistan’s Bolan region by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA). Intelligence reports cited by Pakistani officials claimed direct communication between the attackers and Afghan-based leaders.
Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Abdul Qahar Balkhi refuted the accusations. “We categorically reject baseless allegations by the Pakistani army linking the attack to Afghanistan,” he said. He urged Pakistan to address its internal security issues rather than making “irresponsible remarks.”
The Pakistani Army announced the conclusion of a rescue operation on Wednesday evening. “The armed forces successfully concluded the operation by killing all terrorists and rescuing all passengers safely,” said Lt Gen Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry, army spokesperson. The operation resulted in the deaths of 33 BLA militants, 21 passengers, and four soldiers, according to official statements.
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The Baloch Liberation Army challenged Pakistan’s version of events, asserting that fighting continued. “The battle continues on multiple fronts, and the enemy is suffering heavy casualties,” the group stated. The BLA, seeking Balochistan’s independence, claimed the military had neither secured victory nor saved its personnel.
The hijacking occurred when militants attacked the train, carrying hundreds of passengers, in a remote mountainous area. The BLA took responsibility, escalating tensions in Balochistan, a region long plagued by insurgency. Pakistan reported rescuing over 300 hostages during the operation, which involved intense combat.
The conflicting narratives from Pakistan and the BLA, alongside Taliban’s denial, signal ongoing friction in the region. Authorities are expected to release further details as investigations into the hijacking and its alleged Afghan links continue. Updates on the situation in Balochistan are anticipated in the coming days.
