Balochistan Under Attack: Coordinated Assaults Target Police and Jaffar Express
Balochistan province is facing a surge in militant activity, with coordinated attacks on Wednesday targeting both law enforcement and a passenger train, the Jaffar Express. The incidents, occurring in Dera Murad Jamali, underscore the escalating security challenges in the region and raise concerns about the vulnerability of critical infrastructure.
Hand Grenade Attack Injures 13 in Dera Murad Jamali
At least 13 individuals, including two police personnel, sustained injuries when unidentified assailants launched a hand grenade attack on a police mobile van. According to Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ghulam Sarwar Bhayo, the attack occurred while the vehicle was on routine patrol near Shah Petrol Pump. The injured included police constables, women, and children, with those identified as Shamsuddin, Abdul Rasheed Junejo, Gul Babo, Mahad, Syed Khan, Nazir Solangi, Ahmed, Barkat Abro, Muhammad Nawaz Bhangar, Muhammad Ishaq Mengal, and Imam Bakhsh.
Following the explosion, a significant police contingent swiftly responded, securing the area and transporting the injured to a nearby hospital for medical attention. Authorities have initiated a comprehensive investigation and are actively conducting search operations to apprehend those responsible.
Jaffar Express Targeted in Separate Attack
In a separate incident, armed men attacked the Jaffar Express while it was traveling through Dera Murad Jamali. The assailants opened fire and launched four rockets at the passenger train. However, security forces mounted a rapid and effective counter-offensive, successfully repelling the attack and forcing the perpetrators to retreat.
While several train compartments sustained minor damage, officials confirmed that no casualties were reported. The swift response from security personnel was credited with averting a potentially devastating tragedy and ensuring the safety of all passengers on board. Following the attack, the train was temporarily halted at Dera Murad Jamali Railway Station as law enforcement agencies launched a large-scale search operation to locate the attackers. Security measures along the railway route have been significantly increased.
A History of Attacks on the Jaffar Express
This latest attack is not an isolated incident. The Jaffar Express has been repeatedly targeted in the past. Earlier this year, the train was briefly hijacked in the mountainous Bolan Valley, and in September of last year, it was also subjected to an attack near Quetta Railway Station.
Just last month, an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated near a railway track in the Dasht area of Mastung district, Balochistan, while the Jaffar Express was en route from Peshawar to Quetta. The blast derailed four bogies and wounded a dozen passengers, including women and children, causing significant damage to the track and disrupting train services. No group has yet claimed responsibility for that attack.
March Hijacking Resulted in 21 Passenger Deaths
The most devastating incident occurred in March, when terrorists hijacked the Jaffar Express, carrying over 400 passengers in nine bogies, near the Dhadar area of Bolan Pass. The attackers tragically martyred 21 passengers before security forces could launch a clearance operation.
According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lt General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, the security forces neutralized 33 terrorists during the operation, but not before the initial loss of life. “All 33 terrorists have been sent to hell,” Lt Gen Chaudhry stated, adding that “Four Frontier Corps personnel embraced martyrdom during the clearance operation.” He emphasized the gravity of the situation, declaring, “No one can be permitted to make innocent people of Pakistan the victim of their barbarism…Whoever does this will be hunted down and brought to justice.” He further asserted that “this incident of Jaffer Express changes the rules of the game.”
Cross-Border Links and Hostage Tactics
Lt Gen Chaudhry revealed that the attackers had established contact with handlers in Afghanistan, highlighting the cross-border dimension of the operation. He also disclosed that the militants employed a disturbing tactic, utilizing hostages – including women and children – as human shields, strategically positioning them alongside suicide bombers. Security forces responded decisively, utilizing snipers to neutralize the suicide bombers and secure the release of the hostages.
The recent wave of attacks underscores the persistent security challenges facing Balochistan and the need for sustained counter-terrorism efforts to protect both citizens and critical infrastructure. The coordinated nature of these incidents suggests a heightened level of planning and coordination among militant groups operating in the region.
