Peshawar, March 27, 2025: The Jaffar Express has resumed its journey 16 days after a devastating terrorist attack near Bolan, Balochistan. The passenger train departed from Peshawar Cantonment Railway Station on Thursday, where Federal Minister Amir Muqam and railway officials saw off the travelers.
The train will traverse Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan, completing a 34-hour journey before reaching Quetta by Friday evening. A total of 280 passengers have booked tickets for the trip, with 28 departing from Peshawar. The Jaffar Express remains the only train connecting all four provinces of Pakistan.
On March 11, the outlawed Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) targeted the Jaffar Express by blowing up train tracks and holding more than 440 passengers hostage near a remote mountain pass in Bolan. Security forces eliminated all 33 terrorists in a successful operation, but 26 passengers lost their lives before the rescue effort began. Some reports suggested a higher casualty toll. Four security personnel also embraced martyrdom during the operation.
At the train’s departure ceremony, Minister Amir Muqam stated that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had prioritized the restoration of Jaffar Express service. He emphasized that both PM Shehbaz and Chief of Army Staff Gen Asim Munir are committed to ensuring national security and thwarting the nefarious designs of terrorists.
Muqam also praised the resilience of the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the fight against terrorism, stressing that the battle against militancy will continue until its complete eradication. He urged national unity to defeat terrorism.
The federal minister also criticized the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), claiming the opposition party’s activities were not focused on national development but rather on seizing power in Islamabad. He accused PTI of lacking policy consistency.
Regarding the repatriation of Afghan refugees, Muqam stated that while the process was inevitable, it would be carried out with caution.
At a March 14 press conference, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry labeled India as the main sponsor of terrorism in Balochistan, linking the attack on Jaffar Express to its broader strategy. He also criticized Indian media for spreading disinformation, using old social media footage to distort facts.
The ISPR chief further revealed that the attackers operated in groups, maintaining direct contact with handlers in Afghanistan throughout the siege.
The resumption of the Jaffar Express marks a critical step toward restoring normalcy in Pakistan’s rail operations. However, authorities remain on high alert, vowing to continue their crackdown on terrorism and ensure passenger safety across the country.
