PM Shehbaz Sharif visits Balochistan today to show solidarity

PM Shehbaz Sharif visits Balochistan today to show solidarity after the Jaffar Express terrorist attack.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to visit Balochistan on Thursday to show solidarity with the province’s people and assess the security situation.

During his visit, he will preside over a high-level meeting to evaluate the law and order situation in the aftermath of the unprecedented terrorist attack on the Jaffar Express passenger train.

His visit comes a day after Pakistan’s armed forces successfully rescued all hostages following a tense standoff with Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) militants who had hijacked the Jaffar Express.

After an intense, day-long standoff, security forces eliminated the militants responsible for the attack and ensured the safe recovery of all hostages.

While the exact number of civilian casualties has yet to be disclosed, the operation took longer than usual due to the militants using passengers as human shields. The presence of women and children, alongside suicide bombers, added to the complexity of the rescue mission, requiring careful execution to prevent loss of innocent lives.

With all hostages now freed, Pakistan Army and paramilitary forces continue their efforts to track down militants attempting to escape into the mountainous terrain.

Earlier in the day, provincial authorities announced the successful rescue of 190 passengers. Efforts are now underway to confirm the exact number of deceased passengers, but officials have affirmed that all terrorists involved in the attack have been neutralized.

The Jaffar Express, which departed from Quetta on the morning of March 11 at 9:30 am, was ambushed while passing through the Gudalar and Pero Kunnri areas. Armed attackers opened fire on the train, critically injuring the driver, who later succumbed to his injuries.