Survivors of the Jaffar Express attack describe panic and chaos as armed militants took control of the train, with ongoing rescue efforts revealing the serious implications of the incident for regional safety and governance.
Terror Unleashed on the Jaffar Express: Eyewitness Accounts from the Balochistan Train Hijacking
Terror Unleashed on the Jaffar Express: Eyewitness Accounts from the Balochistan Train Hijacking
Passengers recount harrowing experiences during the train hijacking in Pakistan's Balochistan province, illuminating a crisis of security and fear.
Passengers onboard the Jaffar Express, a train traveling through Pakistan's Balochistan province, have provided harrowing testimonies of the chaos and terror they experienced during a hijacking by armed militants from the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA). Ishaq Noor, one of the survivors, described the moments of fear, saying, "We held our breath throughout the firing, not knowing what would happen next."
Over 400 passengers were on the train as it made its journey from Quetta to Peshawar when the BLA attacked, reportedly taking several hostages. Military sources claim a significant portion of the passengers—around 155—have been rescued, while 27 militants were killed. However, these figures have yet to be independently verified. Rescue operations are ongoing, with hundreds of troops deployed by security forces, supported by helicopters and special forces.
Muhammad Ashraf, another passenger, recalled the climate of despair, noting, "It was a scene of doomsday." He described a grueling four-hour walk to safety after managing to disembark from the train, alongside other passengers who assisted the weaker individuals. The impact of the initial explosion was dramatic; Noor reported that the intensity caused one of his children to fall from their seat. He and his wife protective of their children, stating, "If a bullet comes our way, it will hit us and not the children."
Mushtaq Muhammad, who was in a different carriage, recounted the attackers’ actions, such as discussing their strategy in Balochi and keeping a careful watch on the security personnel aboard. Some passengers were eventually released, including women, children, and elderly individuals. Noor, himself released after convincing the militants that their group contained women and children, noted that the situation remains fluid, with many hostages unaccounted for.
In the aftermath, wooden coffins were spotted at Quetta railway station, likely to be used for casualties, although none were immediately reported. The BLA has vowed severe repercussions against any rescue attempts.
Human rights organizations, including the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, have expressed grave concerns over the incident, urging for a collaborative approach to address the ongoing issues in Balochistan. This region has faced renewed violence amid longstanding insurgent activity, counter-insurgency operations, and alleged human rights abuses. The international community, including figures like UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, has condemned the siege and called for the safe release of any remaining captives. The incident underscores the precarious security landscape in Balochistan, which has long been a target of extremist acts and governmental conflict.
