In Bolan, the aftermath of the attack on the Jaffar Express remains visible, three days after security forces freed hundreds of hostages from BLA terrorists.

An Aaj News team arrived on-site in the affected area, part of a group of journalists who traveled on a train to he spot where train with over 450 passengers was hijacked on March 11.

The explosion resulted in damage to five carriages and the engine of the train.

The destruction in the region was apparent even on Saturday. The blast impacted both the train’s engine and five carriages.

Reports indicate that dozens of terrorists came down from the mountains to execute the attack.

Brigadier Omer Altaf from Balochistan FC North told journalists that they recovered at least 8 IEDs that the terrorists had planted near the train to blow it up.

Brig Altaf said the terrorists occupied all the surrounding hills in the region, making it difficult for the forces to approach the train. They were finally engaged and a large number of them were ‘neutralized’, he said.

He said terrorists launched a coordinated attack from three sides, targeting an FC post and later detonating an explosive device on the railway track to halt the train.

According to Brigadier Umar Altaf, dozens of terrorists descended from the mountains, attacking the engine and the first five carriages with rockets and heavy gunfire. Several passengers were injured, and some lost their lives during the assault.

He further explained that the terrorists took control of the train, using passengers as human shields. Communication in the area was difficult due to the absence of mobile networks, and an FC picket on the mountain had been monitoring the region. When the security forces engaged the terrorists in the mountains, the attackers seized the opportunity to capture the train.

The joint operation by the Special Services Group (SSG) and FC successfully neutralized the terrorists and rescued all passengers safely. Brigadier Umar Altaf emphasized that the forces pursued the attackers who attempted to escape into the mountains, inflicting heavy losses on them.

At the scene, security forces recovered hand grenades, rocket launcher shells, and eight large improvised explosive devices (IEDs) intended to destroy the train.

Deputy Railway Engineer Rasheed Imtiaz told Aaj News that the train’s engine and five carriages had derailed. Repair work is expected to take 12 to 14 hours after the completion of the clearance operation.

He said the railway track in Bolan region was a per-partition engineering marvel that passed through 22 tunnel.

How the attack unfolded

Jaffar Express departed Quetta at 9:30am on March 11. As it passed through Gudallar and Piro Konari, unidentified gunmen opened fire. The train driver was critically injured and later succumbed to his wounds. Several passengers also lost their lives.

Eyewitnesses and Levies sources reported that the train was halted in the mountainous region of Machh. The terrorists used explosives to destroy the railway track before opening fire, killing the driver and several passengers.

Following the attack, train services from Quetta to the rest of the country were suspended.

Security has been heightened at Quetta railway station, and a relief train carrying medical supplies is en route to Machh.