Passengers of the Jaffar Express hijacking described the terrifying ordeal as “doomsday scenes” as militants stormed the train in Balochistan on Tuesday. The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) attacked the train, which was carrying over 400 passengers, taking several hostage.
Ishaq Noor, one of the passengers, recalled the chilling moments. “We held our breath throughout the firing, not knowing what would happen next,” he told reporters. Many passengers, including women and children, huddled together, fearing for their lives.
Rescue Operations Underway
Security forces responded by deploying hundreds of troops, helicopters, and special forces to rescue the hostages. Military sources claimed that 155 passengers were freed and 27 militants killed, though independent verification was not immediately available.
Reports indicate that some militants fled into the mountainous terrain, possibly taking hostages with them. Security personnel continue operations to secure the remaining captives.
Read:Â Militants Hijack Train in Pakistan, Kill 10 in Deadly Attack
Survivors Share Harrowing Accounts
Muhammad Ashraf, a passenger traveling to Lahore, managed to escape late Tuesday. He described the chaos inside the train, saying, “There was a lot of fear among the passengers. It was a scene of doomsday.”
Ashraf and a group of survivors walked for nearly four hours to reach the next railway station. Some men carried weaker passengers on their shoulders. “We reached with great difficulty. There were children and women with us, and everyone was exhausted,” he said.
Another survivor, Mushtaq Muhammad, recalled the attackers speaking in Balochi, with their leader ordering them to keep an eye on security personnel.
Violence Leaves Passengers Traumatized
The attack began with an explosion so powerful that Noor’s child fell from their seat. Amid the gunfire, he and his wife shielded their children. “If a bullet comes our way, it will hit us and not the children,” he said.
Dozens of freed passengers required medical attention upon their rescue. Meanwhile, wooden coffins were seen being loaded at Quetta railway station, reportedly to collect casualties.
Balochistan Conflict Fuels Ongoing Violence
The BLA, which has fought for independence from Pakistan, has claimed responsibility for the hijacking. The group has a long history of targeting police stations, railway lines, and government sites.
Pakistan has officially designated the BLA a terrorist organization, along with the UK and the US. The United Nations condemned the attack and called for the immediate release of the remaining hostages.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan expressed grave concern, urging a political resolution to address the region’s issues. However, the situation remains volatile as security forces continue their mission to rescue the remaining captives.
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