Pakistan’s military confirmed on Friday that 18 soldiers were among the 26 fatalities in a terrorist attack involving the hijacking of a passenger train in Balochistan province, describing it as one of the deadliest incidents in the country’s history.
In a press conference, Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif, alongside Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti, stated that the death toll could still rise as 37 of the 354 rescued hostages sustained injuries, some critical.
Detailing the casualties, Sharif revealed that in addition to the 18 soldiers, three railway police personnel and five civilians were among those killed. Four additional security personnel, not aboard the train, lost their lives in clashes with the militants.
The incident began on March 11 when terrorists from the banned separatist group, the Baloch Liberation Army, hijacked the Jafar Express in the mountainous Bolan region of Balochistan. Initial reports indicated 440 passengers on board, but military officials later revised the rescued hostages’ count to 354.
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Lieutenant General Sharif said that a swift commando operation on March 12 neutralized the terrorists, including suicide bombers who were eliminated by army snipers. He emphasized that security forces sustained no casualties during the assault itself, noting that the attackers had already killed the hostages prior to military intervention.
Sharif alleged the involvement of foreign actors, asserting that the masterminds behind the attack were based in Afghanistan. He further accused the Indian media of launching a social media misinformation campaign using AI-generated content, labeling it part of an “international social media warfare campaign” against Pakistan.
“Foreign-made modern weaponry is being provided to terrorists who operate freely within Afghanistan and target Pakistan,” Sharif added.
Both Afghanistan and India categorically denied Pakistan’s allegations, dismissing any involvement in the attack or supporting Baloch separatist groups.
The BLA, which seeks autonomy for Balochistan province, had earlier claimed responsibility for hijacking the passenger train. The region has witnessed ongoing insurgency and separatist violence for decades.
Pakistani authorities have vowed continued action against terrorism, emphasizing the gravity of what Chief Minister Bugti described as an unprecedented assault targeting civilians, law enforcement, and military personnel alike.