All terrorists involved in the Jaffar Express attack have been eliminated, and all hostages safely rescued, said Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry.

A total of 33 militants were killed in a large-scale operation carried out by security forces.

Speaking to a private TV channel about the attack, DG ISPR said that on March 11, at around 1pm, terrorists first blew up a section of the railway track near Bolan. They then halted the Jaffar Express and took passengers hostage while maintaining communication with their handlers in Afghanistan.

He further stated that security forces launched a full-scale operation to secure the hostages.

“All 33 terrorists present at the site have been killed,” he said.

According to Lt-Gen Ahmed Sharif, army snipers successfully eliminated the suicide bombers among the militants.

“The operation was executed with precision, and no passengers were harmed. There were 440 passengers aboard Jaffar Express,” he added.

Detailing the militants’ tactics, he revealed that the hostages were separated into three groups, each guarded by suicide bombers.

The operation was conducted with extreme caution to prevent casualties.

“By last evening, we had rescued around 100 passengers, and today, we freed the remaining hostages,” he said.

Emphasising the complexity of the mission, DG ISPR noted that the area was remote and difficult to access.

“The terrorists used hostages as human shields. The operation involved the Pakistan Army, Air Force, Frontier Corps, and SSG commandos. It was launched immediately after the attack,” he stated.

He further said that the rescue operation was carried out in phases.

“The terrorists had already killed 21 people before the operation commenced. During the mission, four FC personnel were martyred,” he confirmed.

Jaffar Express had departed from Quetta at 9:30am on March 11. As the train passed through the Gudalar and Piro Kunri areas, unknown armed men opened fire on it.

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President, PM strongly condemn terrorist attack

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the terrorist attack, commending security forces for their effective response.

In a joint statement, they highlighted the bravery and professionalism of security personnel in countering terrorism.

Despite the challenging terrain, the forces remained steadfast, displaying unwavering determination. They lauded the timely action that forced the cowardly terrorists to retreat.

Later, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a telephone conversation with Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti, who briefed him on the latest developments regarding the attack.

The prime minister emphasised that the nation is deeply shocked by the terrorist act but remains resolute in its commitment to peace. He noted that dozens of terrorists had been eliminated during the security operation.