30 terrorists killed, 190 passengers rescued in Balochistan train hijacking

Bolan: Security forces have rescued 190 passengers and killed 30 terrorists in an ongoing operation to free a train hijacked by terrorists near Balochistan’s Bolan district. The rescue mission has entered its second day, according to state media.

According to security authorities, heavy firing is going on between the security forces and the terrorists. The forces have killed 30 terrorists and injured several others.

It is also reported that the terrorists are in contact with their overseas handlers via satellite phone. Due to the operation by the security forces, the terrorists have been divided into small groups.

The reports also suggest that additional security forces are participating in the operation in the area. The terrorists have been surrounded and the operation will continue until the last terrorist is eliminated.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi paid tribute to the security forces for rescuing more than 100 passengers and said that the security forces courageously thwarted the terrorists’ plans.

Mohsin Naqvi also contacted Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti and assured the Balochistan government of all possible cooperation and said that they will go to the extreme to eliminate terrorists and facilitators.

President Asif Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have strongly condemned the terrorist attack on the Jaffar Express and paid tribute to the forces for the effective action taken by the security forces.

Zardari strongly condemned the terrorist attack on the Jaffar Express and praised the bravery of the forces for rescuing the passengers of the Jaffar Express.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the cowardly attack on the Jaffar Express and said that the security forces are foiling the terrorists with bravery and professionalism. Despite the difficult routes, the morale of the officers and personnel of the security forces involved in the operation is high. The security forces are repelling the cowardly terrorists with timely action and bravery.

Railway officials said that the Jaffar Express consisted of nine coaches and there were more than 400 passengers on board the train. The train left Quetta at 9:00am on Tuesday.

According to reports, the passenger train was going from Quetta to Peshawar when a blast was first made on the track and then firing was launched on the train, after which a gunfight broke out between the security personnel and the terrorists on the train.

According to Levies officials, the Jaffar Express firing incident took place in the Pirokanri area of ​​Kachhi (Bolan) district of Balochistan, as a result of which the train driver was injured while the train was currently standing in a tunnel.

The media reports say that the terrorists stopped the Jaffar Express in a tunnel and took the passengers hostage. Despite being very difficult and far from the road, security forces reached the spot, cordoned off the area, and started a clearance operation.

According to security officials, the majority of the hostages are women and children.