A horrifying attack unfolded on Tuesday when the Jaffar Express, carrying nearly 400 passengers, was assaulted by Baloch separatists near Sibi city, around 160km from Quetta. The train, en route from Quetta to Peshawar, was ambushed by members of the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), who fired rocket-propelled grenades and gunshots at nine of its carriages. The separatists, demanding independence from Pakistan, accused the state of abducting and persecuting those who voiced opposition.
The attackers targeted passengers based on their ethnicity, specifically removing ethnic Punjabis and those they suspected of having military affiliations. While many passengers were allowed to leave, the attackers executed or killed others, resulting in 26 passenger deaths alongside the train driver and a paramilitary soldier.
Separatist Demands and Government Response
The BLA's actions were part of a broader demand for independence from Pakistan. They issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Pakistani government, pressing for the release of Baloch prisoners. The attack aimed to portray Quetta as a "violent environment," according to Balochistan province's Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti.
In response, the government deployed additional soldiers to Quetta railway station. Relief efforts included sending dozens of coffins to the attack site aboard a relief train from Quetta station. The government acted swiftly to ensure the safety of passengers and mitigate the damage caused by the attack.
Survivors recounted harrowing experiences during their hours of captivity. Ghulam Sarwar, one of the survivors, vividly described seeing numerous killings and escaping the ordeal with other passengers. He stated:
“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 on Wednesday morning.” – Ghulam Sarwar
Harrowing Accounts of Survival
Passengers shared terrifying accounts of their experiences during the attack. Murad Ali, another survivor, recalled a rocket hitting the train's engine and how attackers inquired about his identity and ethnicity before allowing him to leave. He detailed his escape:
“I saw a rocket hit the engine.” – Murad Ali
“They came inside our compartment and asked my identity and ethnicity [Sindhi] and then allowed me to go.” – Murad Ali
Ali described leading women and children along a railway track for six kilometers to reach safety:
“I accompanied dozens of women and children and we followed the railway track for six kilometres on foot until we reached the Panir railway station after dusk where security forces took us to Mach railway station.” – Murad Ali
Bibi Farzana, another survivor, highlighted the deliberate separation of ethnic Punjabis from other passengers:
“They pulled off all the passengers but they separated ethnic Punjabis from the rest of the passengers.” – Bibi Farzana
Sarwar explained that the attackers continued to execute passengers throughout the night:
“The killings continued until 10pm after a large number of attackers left the area after hugging some remaining fighters who stayed behind. They also killed anyone who attempted to escape.” – Sarwar
Military Operation and Rescue Efforts
On Wednesday night, Pakistan's security forces concluded a military operation against the attackers. The operation successfully rescued 346 passengers and eliminated all 33 assailants involved in the attack. This decisive action demonstrated the government's commitment to restoring security and ensuring justice for those affected by this tragic event.
Survivor Sarwar recounted his escape under fire:
“We ran out in the morning but another railway policeman who was with me was hit by a bullet on his back after the attackers started shooting at us from the near mountains.” – Sarwar
The operation marked an end to the terrifying ordeal faced by passengers on board Jaffar Express. It underscored Pakistan's resolve in combating threats posed by separatist groups such as the BLA.
