Rawalpindi, March 12, 2025: The Pakistan Army has successfully neutralized all 33 terrorists involved in the Jaffar Express hijacking, confirmed Director General (DG) Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif. However, the operation came at a cost, with four Frontier Corps (FC) personnel martyred during the rescue mission.
Speaking to a private TV channel, Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif detailed the attack, stating that on March 11, terrorists blew up a railway track in Bolan, forcing the Jaffar Express to stop. They then stormed the train, took hostages, and used them as human shields.
The DG ISPR confirmed that no passengers were harmed during the clearance operation. He revealed that military snipers took out the suicide bombers positioned among the hostages, preventing further casualties.
However, the terrorists had already executed 21 passengers before security forces launched their full-scale operation.
“By last evening, over 100 hostages had been rescued. By today, all remaining passengers were safely recovered. Due to the presence of civilians, the security forces exercised extreme caution throughout the clearance operation,” said Lt. Gen. Sharif.
He further disclosed that the terrorists were in contact with their facilitators in Afghanistan. The Pakistan Army, FC, Special Services Group (SSG), and Pakistan Air Force jointly participated in the operation.
Declaring the Jaffar Express attack a turning point, the DG ISPR warned that no one would be allowed to target innocent civilians on trains or roads.
“This incident has changed the rules of the game. We will not tolerate such terrorist acts anymore,” he asserted.
Lt. Gen. Sharif also condemned false reporting by Indian media, stating that within minutes of the attack, Indian outlets began spreading misleading news.
“They aired old photos, videos, and even AI-generated content. This exposes the direct link between terrorists and their foreign backers,” he said.
Expressing disappointment, the DG ISPR criticized certain political factions for exploiting the tragedy for personal gain.
“Instead of standing with the state and the people, some elements create baseless justifications for terrorism. It is regrettable that in the pursuit of power, they are sacrificing national interest,” he remarked.
“Terrorists Have No Connection to Islam, Pakistan, or Balochistan”
Rejecting any ideological or regional association of the militants, Lt. Gen. Sharif made it clear:
“These terrorists have nothing to do with Islam, Pakistan, or Balochistan. They are simply tools in the hands of anti-state elements.”
The attack on Jaffar Express, which was traveling from Quetta to Peshawar, resulted in the tragic loss of innocent lives. Security forces, however, successfully conducted one of the most complex hostage rescue missions in recent history, eliminating all threats and ensuring the safety of passengers.
