All militants killed, 190 hostages rescued after terrorist assault on train

Bolan: Security forces in Pakistan have successfully eliminated all militants and rescued 190 hostages after a group of heavily armed terrorists attacked a train traveling from Quetta to Peshawar in Balochistan’s Bolan district.

The terrorists had stormed the Jaffar Express, which was carrying over 400 passengers, including women and children. They used the hostages as human shields during the attack, but security forces acted quickly to free the hostages and neutralize the attackers.

The attack took place in the Dhadar area of Bolan Pass on Tuesday, when armed gunmen forced the train to stop in a remote, mountainous region. The attackers bombed the railway tracks, causing the train to halt, and then began shooting. Several people, including the train driver, were killed during the attack. The terrorists, who have been identified as members of the banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), claimed responsibility for the assault.

Following the attack, Pakistani security forces launched a carefully coordinated operation to clear the area and rescue the hostages. The operation was carried out with extreme caution to avoid further casualties, and the terrorists were all killed. The forces are still determining the exact number of passengers who were killed or injured in the attack. According to sources, the terrorists had been in contact with their mastermind in Afghanistan, which raised concerns about the cross-border links involved in the attack.

The train, known as Jaffar Express, was traveling from Quetta to Peshawar when it was ambushed. The train was forced to stop in a remote area of Balochistan, and the attackers opened fire on the passengers. Some of the passengers managed to escape, but many were held hostage by the gunmen. Security sources confirmed that the situation was resolved with no further harm to the passengers, though the full extent of the casualties is still being determined.

In the aftermath of the attack, Pakistani railway authorities temporarily halted all train services from Quetta to other parts of the country due to safety concerns. No trains will be operating from Quetta until further notice, and a help desk has been set up to provide information to concerned family members of passengers. Authorities have also warned the public to be cautious of fake news and propaganda spreading on social media about the attack.

After the attack, some social media platforms, especially those linked to Indian and anti-national groups, began spreading false information and misleading videos to incite panic. Fake images, old videos, and manipulated WhatsApp messages were shared widely, causing confusion and fear among the public. These accounts also worked with Indian media outlets to spread anti-Pakistan rhetoric. Pakistani officials have advised the public to rely on credible news sources and not fall for the false narratives being pushed online.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack on the Jaffar Express, calling it a cowardly act that targeted innocent passengers. They expressed their grief and solidarity with the victims' families. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also condemned the attack, calling the militants "beasts" and vowing that the government would ensure the safety of passengers traveling by train in the future.

As authorities continue their investigation into the Jaffar Express attack, they are also looking into the involvement of militants from across the border, particularly in Afghanistan, where many of the Baloch Liberation Army’s leaders are believed to be based. The Pakistani government has vowed to take stronger action against the terrorists and their supporters, both within the country and abroad.

In the meantime, the families of the passengers aboard the Jaffar Express are awaiting more information about the victims and their loved ones. While many hostages have been freed, the full impact of the attack is still being assessed, and the authorities are working to ensure that the victims receive the necessary support.