Gunfight Rages Overnight as Pakistan’s Jaffar Express Hijacked; 155 Hostages Rescued, 27 Rebels Killed

Balochistan, Pakistan – A tense showdown between security forces and gun-toting rebels persisted overnight following the hijacking of the Jaffar Express in Pakistan’s volatile Balochistan province. At least 155 hostages, among them women and children, were rescued, while 27 rebels were killed during a fierce battle, reports say.

The assault, attributed to the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), happened when armed militants ambushed the train in a secluded tunnel on its route from Quetta to Peshawar. The railway tracks were detonated, bringing the train locomotive to an abrupt stop. The insurgents murdered the train driver and commandeered the carriages, holding more than 400 passengers hostage.

Nighttime Battle & Chase of Hostage-Takers

Security troops fought a hot battle with the insurgents, and the fighting went on into the night. Insurgents were said to have divided into groups, carrying hostages into the mountains, while others occupied the locomotive. Troops cordoned off the tunnel, but the mountainous terrain made the operation very difficult.

BLA has dismissed reports of losing casualties and, on its part, reported killing 30 soldiers, a claim yet to be verified by Pakistani officials. Reports indicate that there are still some hostages unaccounted for as the standoff continues.

BLA’s Demands & Threats

The BLA asked for the release of Baloch political prisoners and missing persons within 48 hours, accusing the Pakistani military of forcibly disappearing them. The group warned that they would “completely destroy” the train and kill 10 hostages if their demands were not fulfilled.

Government Response & Emergency Measures

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called the attack a “cowardly act of terror” during the month of fasting Ramzan. “We will go on battling the monster of terrorism until it is totally eliminated from the country,” quoted a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

Emergency help desks have also been established at Quetta and Peshawar railway stations to provide assistance to the families of the abducted passengers. The railway track, reopened after a suspension of a month, continues to be heavily guarded as the military operation is ongoing.

Ongoing Violence in Balochistan

Balochistan has been a hotbed of separatist insurgency and state brutality in recent months. Last November, a suicide attack on Quetta railway station killed 26 individuals and left 62 injured. The province has also witnessed reports of enforced disappearances by state forces.

As the military action against the hijackers continues, uncertainty hangs over the fate of the remaining hostages still on board the Jaffar Express.