The Pakistan military successfully concluded a high-stakes rescue operation on Wednesday night, freeing passengers held hostage by terrorists who hijacked the Jaffar Express.
Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), and Information Minister Atta Tarar confirmed the operation’s success in separate statements. According to Lt Gen Sharif, all remaining passengers were safely evacuated, and security forces eliminated 33 terrorists during the mission.
The hijacking took place near the Mashkaf Tunnel in the Bolan region, where around 440 passengers were on board. Although the exact number of hostages was not disclosed, a senior security official revealed that the rescue was executed in phases. Initially, over a hundred captives were freed, followed by 80 more in the next phase. Additionally, about a dozen passengers, including two railway policemen, managed to escape on their own and reached Quetta safely.
Tragically, 21 passengers lost their lives, along with four personnel from the Frontier Corps (FC).
A Complex Operation in a Remote Area
Speaking to Dunya News, Lt Gen Sharif highlighted the difficulties faced by the military due to the rugged terrain and the remoteness of the incident site, which lacked proper road access. The terrorists reportedly used women and children as human shields, making the operation even more challenging.
Pakistan Army, Air Force, Frontier Corps, and Special Services Group (SSG) commandos worked together to execute the mission. In a final gun battle, SSG forces successfully neutralized the remaining insurgents and freed 68 more hostages.
A senior security official disclosed that the militants were in contact with their masterminds in Afghanistan via satellite phones during the standoff. Lt Gen Sharif remarked that the incident marks a significant shift in security challenges, as these terrorists had no known links to Balochistan or any religious group.
Drone Footage Reveals Scale of Operation
ISPR also released black-and-white drone footage of the operation site, showing groups of hostages gathered near the stranded train. The visuals provided a glimpse into the tense situation and the coordinated efforts of the security forces.
With the military now in the final clearance phase, the successful rescue mission stands as a testament to the armed forces’ commitment to national security.
Source: Dawn.com
