Pakistani officials said the day-long operation to rescue the hostages has ended as 346 hostages were freed and over 30 militants were killed. Pakistani officials said that the insurgent attack on the Jaffar Express train has ended as all militants were killed after an all-day long “full-scale” rescue operation which left a “few” hostages dead.
Security forces rescued all 346 hostages as over 30 militants and 28 soldiers were killed during the operation, an army official said. Efforts were complicated on Wednesday as suicide bombers wearing explosive-laden vests were reportedly stationed near passengers held captive. The government also prepared for potential casualties by transporting empty coffers to the Quetta railway station.
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) militants said that they killed 50 more hostages who were hijacked from the Peshawar bound train near Bolan district on Tuesday.
The militant group said in a statement, “Today, the enemy forces attempted an armed advance using heavy artillery and sophisticated weaponry, leading to intense clashes. In direct retaliation to Pakistan’s persistent aggression, the BLA has executed 50 additional captive enemy personnel within the past hour.”
A statement from the Pakistan Army spokesperson claimed that 21 passengers were killed.
Sarfraz Bugti, the chief minister of Balochistan province, indicated that some hostages were killed while addressing the provincial assembly. “We people have also been martyred, but we will share details later,” he said.
The militants blew up a railway track and opened fire on the Jaffar Express train on Tuesday. After coming under fire, armed men took control of the train after exchanging fire with security personnel. The driver was wounded in the firing.
Earlier on Wednesday, the militants placed a key demand on the Pakistani government to release the remaining hostages. BLA spokesman Jeeyand Baloch said the group was ready to free passengers if authorities agreed to release jailed militants from the outfit, designated as a “terrorist” organisation by the central government and the US. There was no comment from the authorities, as such ultimatums have been rejected in the past.
China, Pakistan’s strategic ally, condemned the train attack and said it firmly opposes terrorism in any form.
“We noted the reports and strongly condemn this terrorist attack,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a media briefing when asked about the attack. Beijing also expressed readiness to strengthen counter-terrorism cooperation with Islamabad.
