Balochistan train attack: Suicide bombers among terrorists as hostages held as human shields
Terrorists who attacked Jaffer Express in Balochistan’s Bolan region on Tuesday afternoon are holding dozens of passengers hostage and using them as human shields, according to security sources.
There are suicide bombers among the terrorists and at least one of them is sitting next to passengers, forcing security forces to exercise extreme cautioned as an operation to rescue the hostage is under way, said the source on Wednesday morning.
Reports further revealed that the terrorists maintained contact with their masterminds in Afghanistan.
Security forces were engaged in an operation against the terrorists involved in the cowardly attack on the Jaffar Express.
Security forces surrounded the terrorists, leading to ongoing exchanges of gunfire.
By Wednesday morning, at least 27 terrorists had been killed, said the sources.
In the aftermath of the Jaffar Express attack, Indian and anti-Pakistan social media have become highly active, spreading misleading and fabricated propaganda. Some of the social media account shared old videos and AI-generated content.
Additionally, Indian media is misleading the public by featuring analyses from self-exiled Baloch leaders living outside Pakistan.
Authorities have urged citizens to rely on credible sources for accurate information during this tense situation.
Terrorists targeted the Jaffar Express in Balochistan, prompting an ongoing security operation.
Train halter at tunnel 8
According to security sources, the attackers ambushed the train near Dhadar, stopping it inside a tunnel and taking passengers hostage around 1pm on Tuesday.
Forces successfully rescued 104 civilians and were working to secure the remaining hostages.
Due to the challenging terrain, the operation is being conducted with extreme caution and will continue until all terrorists are neutralisede, according to officials.
Officials confirmed that 104 hostages had been freed, including 58 men, 31 women, and 15 children.
Four gunship helicopters were assisting in the operation, carrying out periodic strikes on militant hideouts.
Some reports suggested that the terrorists had split into small groups due to the forces’ operation, and intense gunfire is ongoing between the forces and the terrorists.
According to railway officials, the Jaffar Express departed from Quetta at 9am and was halted inside tunnel No 8. The attack began around 1:15pm as the train was en route to Peshawar.
The train, consisting of nine coaches and carrying over 430 passengers, was fired upon heavily, causing widespread panic. The train driver was killed in the attack.
Railway sources revealed that the economy class had 235 reserved passengers, ACL had 41, ACB had 24, and AC sleeper had six.
In response to the crisis, Bolan Mail from Karachi to Quetta and Jaffar Express from Peshawar to Quetta were stopped at Sibi, while an emergency was declared at Sibi Hospital.
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