Pakistan train hijack: Rescue ops on for over 200 hostages, 104 freed so far

• Rana Dilawar, a senior police official, said the “train is still on the spot and the armed men are holding passengers” as of Wednesday morning. He added that helicopters and additional forces have been deployed with the security operation.

• On its part, the Baloch Liberation Army has demanded the release of political prisoners, activists and missing persons allegedly kidnapped by the military within 48 hours. It has threatened to execute hostages, including Army personnel, and “completely destroy” the train if their demand was not fulfilled within the specified deadline.

• A security source told Reuters news agency that of the 425 passengers on board the Jaffar Express, 80 were military personnel. Another source added that 17 of the rescued 104 passengers were taken to hospital for treatment as they were injured.

• Pakistan Railways have set up an emergency desk at the Peshawar and Quetta Railway stations as frantic relatives and friends try to get some information about their loved ones on the train.

• In October last year, Pakistan Railways announced the restoration of train services between Quetta and Peshawar after a nearly two-month suspension.

• Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack. He acknowledged the ongoing operations against the terrorists and highlighted that security forces were effectively countering the attackers.

• President Asif Ali Zardari also strongly condemned the incident and said, “Attacks on innocent citizens and passengers are inhumane and heinous acts. Those who attack passengers are against Balochistan and its traditions.”

• On his part, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said, “The beasts who fire on innocent passengers do not deserve any concessions.”

• Authorities have imposed emergency at the Sibi hospital, as well as the Civil Hospital Quetta. Health Department spokesperson Waseem Baig said that “all consultants, doctors, pharmacists, staff nurses and paramedical staff have been summoned” in the wake of the hijacking incident.

• The latest incident comes as Balochistan has witnessed an uptick in terrorist attacks over the past year. In November 2024, at least 26 people were killed and 62 injured after a suicide blast ripped through the Quetta Railway Station.