Survivors’ Accounts from the Jaffar Express Train Hijacking in Pakistan

On Tuesday, Baloch separatists hijacked Pakistan’s Jaffar Express, attacking it with rockets and gunfire, leading to multiple casualties. Survivors recounted harrowing experiences, with some passengers executed based on ethnicity. Following a military operation, 346 hostages were rescued, though 26 passengers and others were killed. This incident highlights the ongoing conflict in Balochistan, where separatist groups seek autonomy.

A harrowing attack occurred on the Jaffar Express passenger train, which was hijacked by Baloch separatists in Pakistan’s Balochistan province. Survivors recounted chilling scenes as they witnessed fellow passengers being executed while attempting to escape the assault. The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) launched the attack using rocket-propelled grenades and gunfire, targeting the train as it traversed the Bolan Pass, a rugged mountainous area.

The train had departed from Quetta at 9 a.m. and was bound for Peshawar, but it was ambushed near Sibi city around 1 p.m. The journey covered over 1,600 kilometers and was expected to take roughly 30 hours with numerous stops. Following a military operation by Pakistan’s security forces, 346 hostages were rescued, although tragically, 26 passengers, the train driver, and a paramilitary soldier lost their lives during the assault.

Eyewitness accounts provided a glimpse into the chaos faced by the passengers. Ghulam Sarwar, a police assistant subinspector, revealed, “I saw so many killings in front of my eyes and I knew that I was the next, but I escaped with other passengers and colleagues.” He recounted that the armed personnel returned fire but faced overwhelming fire from the attackers, who separated passengers based on ethnicity and executed those deemed unfavorable.

Murad Ali, another survivor, described the horror: “I saw a rocket hit the engine of the train after we heard intense firing.” His wife, Bibi Farzana, added that the train was engulfed in smoke due to constant gunfire and explosions as they fled. Pakistani security officials reported that 30 assailants were killed during the rescue operation, with additional soldiers deployed to bolster security at transport hubs.

The BLA’s actions are part of a broader struggle for independence in Balochistan, with the separatists accusing the Pakistani government of oppression against dissenters. This incident marks a notable escalation in such attacks, with previous instances of violence toward train passengers having occurred, highlighting ongoing security concerns in the region.

The hijacking of the Jaffar Express by Baloch separatists underscores the persistent violence and instability within Pakistan’s Balochistan province. Survivors described horrific events, witnessing executions and enduring a siege. The coordinated military response led to the rescue of numerous hostages, but not without significant loss of life. The incident reflects the heightened tensions between state forces and separatist groups demanding autonomy, emphasizing the complex and dangerous state of affairs in the region.

Original Source: www.aljazeera.com