Amid chaos and casualties, a daring rescue operation unfolds against the backdrop of a high-stakes standoff.
**Tragedy Unfolds: Pakistan Train Hijacking Leaves Passengers in Terror**
**Tragedy Unfolds: Pakistan Train Hijacking Leaves Passengers in Terror**
A shocking attack on the Jaffar Express train in Balochistan highlights ongoing violence in Pakistan.
In a harrowing incident on Tuesday, the Jaffar Express train traveling through the treacherous Bolan Pass in central Pakistan was ambushed, resulting in a deadly hostage situation involving more than 400 passengers. Mehboob Hussain, one of the passengers, recounted the terrifying moments when the train came to a sudden halt after an explosion rocked the front car, followed by a barrage of gunfire.
The assailants were identified as members of the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), a group known for its insurgent activities in the region, which has long been a flashpoint for conflict due to political and resource-related grievances. Almost immediately, the BLA issued threats demanding the release of political prisoners within a short deadline.
Over the course of 30 grueling hours, conflicting reports emerged. While authorities managed to free around 300 passengers, many remained unaccounted for, and casualties mounted, with reports indicating the death of militants, army personnel, and civilians alike. Eyewitness accounts described frightening scenes within the train where panic ruled, as passengers faced unspeakable horrors and witnessed the killing of fellow travelers.
As rescue efforts commenced, a railway police officer disclosed how desperation escalated as their ammunition diminished against the overwhelming number of armed attackers. The militants methodically sorted hostages, separating them by ethnicity and publicly declaring their intentions if demands were not met. Some hostages, including women and children, were released initially, while others endured the escalating violence all night long.
As dawn broke, military forces launched a surprise attack, creating a diversion that facilitated the escape of several surviving hostages. Casualties continued to rise as chaos erupted upon the arrival of rescuers, resulting in further attempts to flee amidst gunfire.
The aftermath has left a community shaken and grieving, with dozens of coffins prepared for the deceased. Authorities insist they remain committed to locating the missing passengers and bringing those responsible to justice. Amid all this turmoil, Noor Muhammad, one of the survivors, expressed gratitude for his and his wife's escape from certain death. "Thank God," he remarked, reflecting on the horrific ordeal they endured.
