At least 27 terrorists have been killed and 155 hostages rescued in a large-scale operation to free passengers from the hijacked Jaffar Express train in Pakistan’s Bolan district, security officials confirmed on March 12.
The train was carrying around 400 passengers. It was en route from Quetta to Peshawar when it was intercepted and hijacked by militants in a remote, mountainous area near the Afghanistan-Iran border.
Security forces, including army and paramilitary units, launched an intensive rescue mission and pledged to continue the operation “until the last militant is neutralised.”
“There was gunfire, but by the grace of Allah, the army and FC personnel brought us to safety,” said one of the freed passengers, as reported by The News International.
Militants Using Hostages as Human Shields
According to security sources, the attackers — some wearing suicide vests — used women and children as human shields, complicating the rescue effort. The terrorists also split into smaller groups after the operation began and used satellite phones to coordinate with handlers outside the country, including a suspected mastermind in Afghanistan.
The attackers reportedly bombed the railway track, opened fire on the train’s engine, and injured the driver. The train was halted just before entering a tunnel in the Mushqaf area of Bolan.
A relief train and fresh contingents of security forces were dispatched to the area, and 17 injured passengers were taken to local hospitals.
In response to the incident, the Balochistan government has imposed emergency measures, mobilising all relevant institutions.
At Civil Hospital Quetta and in Sibi, medical staff were placed on high alert, with entire hospital wards cleared to treat casualties. An emergency information desk has also been set up at Quetta Railway Station.
Train services from Quetta, including the Bolan Mail and Jaffar Express, have been suspended for at least three days. A train to Chaman was also held back amid the ongoing crisis.
National Leaders Condemn Terrorist Attack
The hijacking has sparked strong reactions from across Pakistan’s political spectrum.
President Asif Ali Zardari called the attack “inhuman and condemnable,” praising the bravery of the security forces and expressing hope for the swift recovery of the wounded.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the militants, saying:
“These terrorists are the enemies of Balochistan’s progress. Their targeting of innocent civilians during the holy month of Ramadan shows they have no connection to Islam or humanity.”
He pledged to continue the fight against terrorism until it is completely eradicated and vowed to foil any conspiracy to spread chaos and lawlessness in the country.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said those responsible “deserve no leniency.”
Other political leaders — including PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, and ANP President Aimal Wali Khan — also issued statements condemning the attack and demanding firm action against militants.
Surge in Militant Activity
The attack comes amid a wider surge in terrorist violence in Pakistan. According to recent data from the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), militant attacks in January 2025 rose by 42%, with 74 attacks recorded nationwide.
Balochistan alone saw 24 attacks that month, resulting in 26 deaths, including both civilians and security personnel.
