Pakistani security forces launched a decisive operation on Wednesday, storming the hijacked Jaffar Express and eliminating all 33 separatist militants, bringing an end to a tense day-long standoff involving hundreds of hostages.
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) had attacked the train on Tuesday, blowing up the railway track and launching rockets as it traveled from Quetta to Peshawar with 440 passengers on board. The assault led to chaos and panic among passengers as militants seized control of the train.
According to the military, 21 hostages and four security personnel were killed during the ordeal. Military spokesperson Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry emphasized the precision of the final operation, stating that no civilians were harmed in the concluding phase.
The BLA had earlier claimed responsibility for the attack, demanding the release of Baloch political prisoners and threatening to execute hostages if their demands were not met within 48 hours. The group has intensified its attacks in recent months as part of its ongoing insurgency in Balochistan, where militant factions are fighting for greater autonomy and a larger share of the region’s vast mineral wealth.
Source: Swifteradio.com
