Pakistan Army says 18 of 26 hostages killed in Balochistan train attack were soldiers
The Hindu
Pakistan army reveals details of Balochistan Liberation Army attack on Jaffar Express, resulting in 26 hostages killed and 33 terrorists eliminated.
Pakistan Army on Friday (March 14, 2025) said that 18 of the 26 hostages killed by Balochistan Liberation Army militants, who ambushed a train in Balochistan, were army and paramilitary soldiers.
Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lieutenant Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, during a press conference with Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti, said 26 hostages were killed by the terrorists before the start of the Army operation.
“The 26 hostages include 18 Army and paramilitary soldiers, three other government officials and five civilians,” he said.
He also said that five paramilitary soldiers of Frontier Corps were killed during the operation, including four Frontier Corps personnel killed by terrorists when they attacked the train.
The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) terrorists ambushed the Jaffar Express carrying over 400 passengers on Tuesday (March 11, 2025) in Bolan area of Balochistan and held the passengers hostage, prompting the security forces to initiate an operation that lasted until the next day evening.
Security forces stormed the hijacked train on Wednesday (March 12, 2025), bringing a dramatic end to a 30-hour siege, killing all 33 terrorists, while successfully rescuing more than 300 passengers. The Army spokesman said that a total of 354 hostages were rescued, including 37 injured passengers.
Mr. Chaudhry once again accused India of creating disturbance in the province. “The main sponsor of terrorism in Pakistan is our eastern neighbour,” he said.
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