PM visits Balochistan after train hijacking attack

Karachi

Pakistan's Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, visited Balochistan on Thursday to assess the law and order situation following a deadly train hijacking that killed 21 civilians and four soldiers. The incident, which occurred on March 11, involved militants from the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) hijacking the Jaffar Express, a train traveling from Quetta to Peshawar.

The attack, which took place near the Gudalar and Piru Kunri tunnels, saw 440 passengers taken hostage. Security forces responded swiftly, and after a two-day operation, all 33 BLA militants involved in the hijacking were killed. Military units, including the Pakistan Air Force, Special Services Group, Army, and Frontier Corps, participated in the rescue operation.

Sharif was joined by several key ministers, including Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Federal Minister for Information, Attaullah Tarar. During his visit, he expressed solidarity with the victims and assured the public of the government’s commitment to justice.

In a statement, Pakistan’s Army spokesman Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry warned that those involved in such acts of terror, including foreign facilitators, would be held accountable. “This incident changes the rules of the game,” he declared.

Meanwhile, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif criticized former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party for politicizing the tragedy. Asif emphasized the importance of national unity in the fight against terrorism, praising the security forces for preventing further casualties in the operation.