Survivors of the Jaffar Express attack have described the harrowing experience as an “hour of doom,” recalling how an explosion halted the train before relentless gunfire erupted.

Eyewitness accounts from rescued passengers have surfaced in videos, revealing the sheer horror they endured.

One survivor recounted the moment chaos unfolded: “There were screams everywhere. We all lay flat on the floor to save ourselves. Then, the gunfire started, followed by another explosion, and the train came to a halt.”

Another survivor described how the attackers ordered passengers to disembark.

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“People hesitated, but I took my children and got off. I thought if they were telling us to leave, we should — otherwise, they might start shooting inside the train.”

The survivor added that once outside, the militants let him, his wife, and his children go, instructing them not to look back.

Another elderly passenger shared a similar experience: “We had no choice but to follow orders. Whether inside or outside, death seemed inevitable. But they let us go.”

The elderly passenger also recounted how the freed hostages had to trek for hours to reach safety.

“We walked for four hours before finally finding a secure place.”

A survivor’s gratitude to security forces

One of the rescued passengers expressed his gratitude in a video statement, saying, “Gunfire broke out suddenly, but by God’s grace, the army and FC forces bravely brought us to safety.”

He credited the security forces for their courage in rescuing them from the hostage situation.

Security forces eliminate 30 militants

The Jaffar Express, travelling from Quetta to Peshawar, was ambushed when it passed through the Gudalar and Piro Kanri regions. Gunmen opened fire, critically injuring the train’s driver, who later succumbed to his wounds.

Security forces launched a counter-operation, killing 30 militants and rescuing 190 hostages so far. Officials report that some of the attackers are using women and children as human shields, making the operation more challenging.

Due to the presence of suicide bombers among the militants, security forces are exercising extreme caution to ensure the safety of the remaining hostages.