Security forces rescue 104 train passengers, kill 16 terrorists in Bolan operation

Security forces have rescued at least 104 train passengers from the militants so far, sources said on Tuesday night.

Of those rescued from the militants, 58 are men, 31 women and 15 children. They reached Machh by a cargo train around midnight.  

At least 16 militants were also killed during the rescue operation launched by Pakistan's security forces and the remaining militants have split into smaller groups. At least 17 people injured in the attack have been shifted to hospital for treatment.

Passengers rescued by the security forces from the militants are now being shifted to Quetta. Around 60 passengers were shifted to Quetta on Tuesday evening and more will be sent later. At least 700 passengers had booked their seats in the train.

Keeping in view the prevailing security situation, two trains going to Quetta were stopped near Sibbi. According to railway sources, Jaffar Express and Bolan Mail were stopped at Sibbi. Jaffar Express was scheduled to arrive at Quetta at 7PM while Bolan Mail was scheduled to reach Quetta at 8PM.  

Another train, called relief train, was dispatched to Bolan to bring back the passengers and those injured in the train attack. The relief train will be carrying food, medicines and health staff. However, this train too will require security clearance before reaching Bolan. A number of casualties and injuries are feared in the incident therefore an emergency has been declared at the Sibbi Divisional Headquarters Hospital.  

Exchange of heavy gunfire

Soon after security forces started an operation to rescue the train passengers held hostage by militants in Bolan, sources reported an exchange of heavy gunfire between the two sides. 

Security sources say that militants targeted innocent citizens during attack on Jaffar Express. They said that militants stopped the train in the tunnel and then took the passengers hostage. Despite the fact that the crime scene is away from the main road and is located in a difficult terrain, security forces have started the clearance operation. Women and children are also among the hostages. 

Sources say that militants are in contact with the attack masterminds in Afghanistan. They said that militants have nothing to do with Islam, Pakistan or Balochistan as they targeted innocent people. 

Sources say that Indian media and their aligned social media accounts are running an organized propaganda campaign since the news of the militant attack on the train broke out. Old videos, AI-generated videos, old photos and fake WhatsApp messages and posters are being spread to create confusion in the country.

Social media accounts linked to militant groups are also spreading fake information. Indian channels are showing analyses by so-called Baloch leaders sitting out of Pakistan. Sources advised Pakistani people to look for news reports from credible sources instead of social media accounts involved in propaganda campaigns. 

Militants held 450 passengers hostage after several were reported injured following gun attack on the Jaffar Express near Ab Gham in the Machh area of Bolan in Balochistan on Tuesday, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Terrorists blew up the rail track and opened indiscriminate firing on the train before taking hundreds hostage.

Sources said that around six terrorists opened fire on the train, causing panic among the passengers with several individuals including the driver of train were injured due to the gunfire.

The driver of Jaffar Express, travelling from Quetta to Peshawar, received serious injuries. Soon after receiving the report of the incident heavy contingents of law-enforcement agencies rushed to the area.

Local administration also imposed emergencies in all the hospitals of Quetta and Sibi as a number of blasts were also heard from the attack site.

Sources further revealed that rail traffic on the track was suspended.

Commenting on reports of intense firing at Jaffar Express, heading from Quetta to Peshawar, spokesman for the Balochistan government Shahid Rind has said that ambulances, security forces personnel and a train have been dispatched to the site of the incident.

He, however, has said that there are difficulties in accessing the area due to the mountainous terrain. 

The spokesman has informed that an emergency has been imposed at Sibbi Hospital. “We are looking at the incident from different angles, and the possibility of a terror act cannot be ruled out,” he has added. 

President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the militant attack on the train and praised the security forces for successfully taking the rescue operation to the next phase. He said the security forces bravely rescued the passengers taken hostage by the militants. He said it was a heinous crime and the Baloch nation rejects those involved in this attack.  

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the militant attack on the passenger train and paid rich tributes to the security personnel fighting militancy in the country. He said that security forces were in high spirits despite the fact that they were fighting in a difficult terrain and pushing the militants behind. He said the operation will be completed successfully soon. He said that militants involved in such attacks do not deserve any leniency. He said that these militants are enemies of the progress Balochistan is making. He said that all attempts to spread anarchy in Pakistan will be foiled. 

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi condemned the train attack and prayed for those wounded in the attack. He said that those who attacked the passenger train deserved no leniency. 

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz condemned the militant attack on the train in Bolan and prayed for safe return of the passengers taken hostages by militants. She praised the security forces taking part in the rescue operation. 

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti said it was a cowardly act and those involved in such acts would be annihilated. He said that Pakistan would be cleared of all types of terrorism very soon. 

Reporter Essa Tareen