All train hostages rescued in Pakistan, 58 killed, including 33 attackers
Pakistan’s security forces have successfully rescued all the passengers of a train held hostage in Balochistan province after 30 hours. All 33 attackers were killed in the rescue operation. In addition, 21 passengers and four security personnel were killed by members of the armed group. This brings the total number of deaths in the incident to 58.
This information was given by the Director of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) of Pakistan, Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chowdhury on Wednesday night. This information was given in a report by the country’s media Dawn.
General Ahmed Sharif Chowdhury said that the area where the incident took place was difficult to reach as it was far from the settlements and road network. The terrorists used women and children as human shields. As a result, it was difficult to conduct an immediate rescue operation.
Stating that the final operation was conducted with great skill and caution, the ISPR director said that all 33 terrorists were killed in the operation. No passenger was killed during the final operation. However, the attackers killed 21 passengers before that. The army, air force, Frontier Corps and SSG personnel participated in the operation and rescued the hostages.
Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chowdhury said that three Frontier Corps (FC) personnel deployed for railway security were killed in the earlier attack. Another FC soldier was killed in the operation.
A subsequent statement by the ISPR said that the sacrifice of the soldiers saved countless lives and prevented a bigger disaster.
Earlier, on Tuesday (March 11), terrorists blew up a railway track in the Bolan area of Balochistan at around 1 pm, causing the Quetta-Peshawar-bound Zafar Express to stop. Armed gunmen took advantage of this opportunity to attack the train and take passengers hostage. According to railway officials, there were about 440 passengers on the train.
Meanwhile, the separatist group Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Security sources said the attackers were in touch with foreign helpers through satellite phones. Among them is a ‘mastermind’ based in Afghanistan.
The bomb disposal team is examining the train and surrounding areas, the ISPR chief said, adding that passengers who were held hostage and had fled to nearby areas during the operation are also being rounded up.
Lt Gen Chaudhry gave a stern warning, saying that no one will be able to brutalize the innocent people of Pakistan on the roads, trains, buses or markets with their wrong ideology, guidance and support from foreign groups. Whoever does this, I am saying clearly, will be found and brought to justice. Terrorists have nothing to do with Islam, Pakistan or Balochistan.
Meanwhile, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif have strongly condemned the ‘terrorist attack’ on the passenger train. In a statement, Shahbaz Sharif said that targeting innocent passengers during the holy month of Ramadan proves that these armed men have no connection with Islam, Pakistan and Balochistan.
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Awami National Party (ANP) President Amal Wali Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin and many others have strongly condemned the incident.
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