Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Balcohistan’s Quetta on Thursday, a day after the military announced the conclusion of its rescue operation after a banned terrorist group hijacked the Jaffar Express and took hundreds of passengers hostage.

“The prime minister will visit Balochistan on Thursday to express solidarity with the people and assess the security situation,” a statement from the PM Office Media Wing said. “He will also preside over a meeting to review the law and order situation.”

Federal ministers would accompany the prime minister during his visit. He would also hold meetings with Balochistan Governor Jaffar Khan Mandokhail and Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti.

The government has “invited” the opposition and all political parties for consultations on ensuring peace and eradicating terrorism.

On Wednesday night, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry and Information Minister Atta Tarar, in separate statements, said that all hostages were safely recovered.

Lt Gen Sharif stated that all remaining passengers were rescued, and the train, which had been stranded near the Mashkaf Tunnel in the Bolan range, was cleared of insurgents. At least 33 terrorists were killed in the operation, he added.

While the military confirmed there were approximately 440 passengers aboard the train, they did not disclose the exact number of hostages rescued during the operation.

The rescue operation to free hostages from the hijacked train was executed in multiple phases, reports said. In the initial phase, just over 100 hostages were released, followed by the rescue of 80 more who were subsequently transported to Mach in the second phase.

Around a dozen passengers, including two railway policemen, “managed to escape” from their captors and safely returned to Quetta.

The operation resulted in the loss of 21 passengers’ lives, and four Frontier Corps personnel were martyred, according to the ISPR director general.

In an interview with Dunya News, Lt Gen Sharif stated that the operation involved personnel from the army, air force, Frontier Corps, and Special Services Group.

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The ISPR DG claimed that the terrorists involved in the hijacking were in contact with their supporters and planners in Afghanistan through satellite phones throughout the operation. He added that the incident “alters the dynamics” of the situation, claiming that such terrorists have no ties to Balochistan or religious motivations.

The ISPR also released black-and-white drone footage depicting the area where the Jaffar Express was stranded. The footage captured three distinct groups of individuals gathered near the side of the train, providing a visual account of the operation’s execution.

PM Shehbaz appreciates Pakistan Army, security forces

In his statement on Wednesday, PM Shehbaz lauded the Pakistan Army and security forces for completing the Jaffar Express operation and rescuing the hostages.

The prime minister said: “The completion of the Jaffar Express operation, without any major losses, was made possible due to the professional expertise of the security forces and the dynamic leadership of the Army Chief, adding the operation was conducted with exceptional skills.”

The prime minister said the soldiers and officers displayed “courage and valour, eliminating 33 terrorists.”

He grieved over the martyrdom of security personnel and train passengers and prayed for the forgiveness of the martyrs and patience and strength for their families.

“Those who harm innocent and unarmed civilians have no connection with Islam or this country,” PM Shehbaz said.

He also reaffirmed to defeat those who attacked civilians and added that the “fight against terrorists would continue until terrorism was completely eradicated from the country.”