Pakistan Train Attack: Survivors Recall the Horror of Explosion and Gunfire
Passengers who survived the deadly train attack in Pakistan’s Balochistan province have described the terrifying ordeal, recalling the deafening explosion and continuous gunfire that turned their journey into a nightmare.
One survivor, Mushtaq Mohammad, said, “There was a loud explosion, and soon after, the firing began. The gunfire lasted for about an hour. It was a scene that can never be forgotten.”
Hostages Still in Captivity
More than 24 hours after the attack, a significant number of people remain in the custody of Baloch rebels. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s military is conducting an operation to rescue the hostages. Survivors of the attack continue to grapple with fear and trauma.
Train Hijacked by Baloch Rebels
On Tuesday, armed Baloch rebels hijacked the Jaffar Express near Bolan station, approximately 100 km from Quetta, Balochistan’s capital. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for the attack.
According to reports, over 20 people were killed in the assault, while Pakistani security forces managed to rescue 155 hostages and killed 27 Baloch fighters in retaliatory action. The attackers released women, children, and Baloch civilians, but held army personnel and security officers captive.
Witness Accounts of the Attack
The Jaffar Express was carrying around 500 passengers in its nine coaches when it was ambushed. Survivors described the horror that unfolded.
Mushtaq, who was traveling with his family in the third coach, recalled, “A loud explosion shook the train, followed by intense gunfire that lasted for about an hour. The scene was devastating.”
Another passenger, Ishaq Noor, was traveling from Quetta to Rawalpindi with his wife and children. He said, “The explosion was so powerful that it shattered the train’s windows and doors.”
Selective Hostage-Taking
After the attack, armed men with masked faces boarded the train and began checking passengers’ ID cards. The BLA fighters assured passengers that civilians, women, children, and Baloch residents would not be harmed.
Mushtaq recounted that a man who resisted the rebels was beaten and shot dead. Ishaq added, “When I told the fighters that I was from Balochistan, they allowed me and my family to leave.”
Fear and Devastation
Passengers who were released walked for nearly three hours to reach Paneer station. One survivor described the aftermath as “a scene of devastation, with people overwhelmed by fear.”
A passenger estimated that around 250 people were taken hostage, while the number of armed attackers was approximately 1,100.
Pakistan’s army continues its operation to free the remaining hostages and eliminate the threat posed by the rebels.
