The Jaffar Express train in Balochistan was hijacked by Baloch separatists, resulting in numerous casualties and a police rescue operation that saved 346 passengers. Survivors described chaotic scenes where ethnic Punjabis were targeted and executed. The attack is part of ongoing conflict in the region, prompting calls for enhanced security measures.
The Jaffar Express passenger train in Balochistan, Pakistan, was attacked by separatist Baloch fighters, resulting in a deadly hijacking. Survivors recounted their terrifying experiences as they witnessed fellow passengers executed and fled under gunfire during the assault by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA). The train came under fire near Sibi city, approximately 160 kilometers from Quetta, during its route to Peshawar.
Onboard the train were nearly 400 passengers when it was attacked. Pakistan’s security forces intervened, rescuing 346 passengers and reportedly killing all 33 attackers. Despite the successful rescue operation, the authorities confirmed the grave loss of life, including 26 passengers and a soldier. Prior to the attack, the BLA issued an ultimatum demanding the release of Baloch political prisoners.
Survivors described their time in captivity as horrific. Ghulam Sarwar, a railway police officer, narrated how the attackers executed passengers based on ethnicity, selectively targeting ethnic Punjabis and suspected military personnel. He shared that he was able to escape with other passengers under continuous fire, expressing disbelief at the brutality he witnessed, with attackers pulling passengers aside to shoot them.
Another survivor, Murad Ali, recalled seeing a rocket strike the train engine before he was released after his ethnicity was confirmed. He, along with others, fled on foot until they reached safety. His wife, Bibi Farzana, added that the train was engulfed in smoke from explosions and gunfire, highlighting the chaos during the attack.
Following the rescue operation, officials reported significant losses among the attackers and stated that additional security measures were implemented at Quetta railway station. The Chief Minister of Balochistan, Sarfraz Bugti, characterized the attack as part of a separatist campaign to portray Quetta as a conflict-ridden area. Although this incident marks a significant hijacking, attacks on trains in Balochistan are not unprecedented, with prior incidents marking a troubling trend of violence in the region.
The recent attack on the Jaffar Express underscores the ongoing violence related to Baloch separatism in Pakistan. Survivors provided harrowing accounts of their experiences, witnessing targeted executions based on ethnicity and enduring a terrifying flight for safety. While the rescue operation was ultimately successful, it highlights the necessity for increased security and efforts to address the underlying tensions contributing to these acts of violence in Balochistan.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
