Jaffar Express driver recalls ‘terrifying’ ordeal

The driver of Jaffar Express has described the terrifying moment militants attacked the train as survivors praised the military for their rescue.

Speaking after the attack, Amjad described how the militants first detonated an explosive under the train’s engine, causing the bogies to derail.

“As soon as the train stopped, Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) terrorists launched an attack,” he said.

Meanwhile, one of the freed passengers recalled how the attackers took them hostage after the blast.

“They held us at gunpoint, but the commandos risked their own lives to rescue us,” he said, adding that the military’s courage gave them strength during the ordeal.

The ordeal began on Tuesday when separatist militants ambushed the Jaffar Express en route from Quetta to Peshawar, blowing up the railway track and attacking the train with rockets.

Security forces stormed the hijacked Jaffar Express on Wednesday, bringing a dramatic end to a 30-hour siege in the rugged Bolan area of Balochistan, killing all 33 terrorists, while successfully rescuing more than 300 passengers.

Lt-Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, the chief military spokesperson, revealed that 21 hostages lost their lives during the day-long standoff.

However, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) director general firmly said that no civilians were harmed in the final rescue operation carried out by the armed forces.

“Today we freed a large number of people, including women and children … The final operation was carried out with great care,” he said, adding that no civilians were killed in the operation. The security forces had cleared the train “bogey to bogey”, he said.

According to the DG ISPR, the attack occurred in a remote and difficult-to-access area. He stated that the rescue operation was launched immediately, with the Army, Air Force and Frontier Corps (FC) taking part. “Today, SSG (Special Service Group) personnel also participated,” he added.