Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited Balochistan on Thursday. He met survivors of the train attack and the commandos who rescued over 300 passengers. Insurgents had killed 21 civilians and four soldiers in the brutal assault.

Baloch Liberation Army Claims Responsibility

The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a banned militant group, admitted to carrying out the attack. The violence began on Tuesday and lasted until Wednesday. Eventually, Pakistani forces launched a rescue operation and killed all 33 insurgents. According to the military, no additional passengers lost their lives during the operation.

Militants Force Train to Stop

The Jafer Express was traveling from Quetta to Peshawar when the attack occurred. Insurgents blew up the railway track, causing nine coaches and the engine to stop inside a tunnel. Although the BLA had attacked trains before, this was the first time they managed to hijack one. Moreover, the group has a history of targeting Chinese workers involved in infrastructure projects in Balochistan.

Balochistan’s Ongoing Struggles

Balochistan is Pakistan’s largest yet least populated province. It is rich in oil and minerals. However, ethnic Baloch communities claim that the central government exploits their resources while neglecting their rights.

Security Forces Launch Rescue Operation

Sharif arrived in Quetta under tight security. Senior officials welcomed him at the airport. Meanwhile, authorities transported the victims’ bodies to their hometowns. Doctors treated the wounded in nearby hospitals.

At a press conference, Shafqat Ali Khan, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, revealed new details. He stated that the attackers had communicated with their handlers in Afghanistan throughout the attack.

“Our security forces successfully eliminated all 33 terrorists, including suicide bombers, while rescuing the hostages,” he said.

As a result, Pakistan has repeatedly urged Afghanistan to prevent terrorist groups from using its soil for attacks.

Pakistan Accuses Afghanistan of Supporting Militants

According to the Pakistani military, intelligence reports confirmed that terrorist leaders in Afghanistan had orchestrated the attack. The insurgents remained in direct contact with their handlers throughout the assault.

In response, Abdul Qahar Balkhi, spokesperson for Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry, denied the allegations. “We are saddened by the loss of innocent lives in this incident,” he said.

Nevertheless, Pakistan called on the Afghan Taliban government to stop harboring militant groups and take action against them.

Survivors Recall Moments of Horror

After damaging the tracks, the insurgents took control of the train. They held passengers hostage, using women, children, and the elderly as human shields.

Many survivors described the terrifying moments inside the train. The attackers fired at windows, stormed the train cars, and killed or injured passengers before taking them hostage.

Meanwhile, three soldiers guarding the railway track also lost their lives, according to military spokesman Lt. Gen. Ahmad Sharif.

Pakistani Forces Kill 10 More Militants

In a separate incident, Pakistani forces spotted militants near a military facility in South Waziristan. Acting swiftly, they launched an operation and killed 10 insurgents.

Authorities identified the militants as members of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). This group, an ally of the Afghan Taliban, has grown stronger since the Taliban took power in 2021.