Militant attack on Jaffar Express halts Quetta train services indefinitely

The armed militants’ attack on the Jaffar Express in Balochistan led authorities to temporarily halt railway travel for individuals heading to the province, suspending train services to Quetta indefinitely.

The development came after a security forces operation that neutralised all 33 terrorists and rescued 440 passengers following hours of efforts.

The incident occurred on Tuesday when terrorists belonging to the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA)—with alleged facilitation from neighboring countries, India and Afghanistan—hijacked the train traveling from Peshawar to Quetta in a rugged area of Balochistan.

The attack, carried out with heavy weapons, left 26 passengers dead and 440 others taken hostage.

Read: All train services suspended in Balochistan amid terrorist attack

In a recent development, officials stated that train operations in Quetta remain suspended indefinitely due to the absence of security clearance.

Despite four days having passed since the attack, authorities have been unable to resume train services, as they have yet to repair the railway track in District Kachhi due to security restrictions.

Imran Hayat, Divisional Superintendent of Railways, stated that teams were deployed at different sections of the track, but repair work has yet to begin due to the lack of security clearance.

Read: Survivor recalls nightmare of Jaffar Express hijacking

Earlier, Pakistan Railways had temporarily suspended all train services from Punjab and Sindh to Balochistan due to the volatile security situation in the region.        

Pakistan Railways Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Amir Ali Baloch stated that both passenger and freight train operations to Balochistan will remain suspended until security agencies declare the area safe.