Jaffar Express Driver Recounts Terrifying Ordeal After Insurgents Attack Train in Pakistan

The driver of Jaffar Express, which was hijacked by Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) militants, has described the terrifying moment when insurgents attacked the train, while survivors praised the military for their rescue.

On Tuesday, the Jaffar Express, traveling from Quetta to Peshawar with 440 passengers on board, was hijacked, resulting in the deaths of 21 civilians and four soldiers. Speaking about the attack, train driver Amjad recalled how the militants detonated an explosive under the engine, causing the bogies to derail, as reported by Express Train.

"As soon as the train stopped, BLA terrorists launched an attack," he said. Meanwhile, one of the freed passengers recounted how the attackers held 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 throughout the ordeal.

The crisis began on Tuesday when separatist militants ambushed the Jaffar Express, blowing up the railway track and attacking the train with rockets. Security forces stormed the hijacked train on Wednesday, bringing a dramatic end to a 30-hour siege in the rugged Bolan area of Balochistan. The operation successfully eliminated all 33 terrorists and rescued more than 300 passengers.

Lt-Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, the chief military spokesperson, confirmed that 21 people lost their lives during the standoff. However, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) director general stated that no civilians were harmed in the final rescue operation conducted by the armed forces.

According to the DG ISPR, the attack took place in a remote and difficult-to-access area. The rescue operation was launched immediately, with coordinated efforts from the Army, Air Force, and Frontier Corps (FC).

This marks the first time the BLA or any insurgent group in Balochistan has hijacked a passenger train. However, militant attacks on security forces, installations, and foreign nationals have intensified across the province since last year.