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The Jaffer Express compartments were in complete disarray, with bloodstains visible everywhere and passengers’ belongings scattered. Several bogies, along with the engine, had derailed.
On the fifth day after the attack, journalists from Quetta visited the site.
They informed BBC Urdu that bullet marks on the train and craters on the ground indicated the severity of the attack.
The Jaffer Express, traveling from Quetta to Peshawar, was attacked in Bolan district, Kachhi, on March 11. At least 26 people, including 18 security personnel, lost their lives.
The Pakistan Army’s media wing (ISPR) reported that 33 militants were killed in security operations.
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a banned militant group, took responsibility for the attack. The group also confirmed that 12 of its fighters had died in clashes with security forces.
Contradictory Statements on Hostage Release
By March 13, a large number of hostages had been freed. The BLA claimed they had voluntarily released the passengers. However, ISPR’s Director General, Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, dismissed this claim.
In a press conference, he stated that security forces had rescued 354 passengers and thwarted the attackers’ plans.
According to Balochistan’s Chief Minister, 425 passengers had purchased tickets for the journey. The total number of rescued and deceased passengers was 380, raising questions about the remaining 45 passengers.
Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti explained that some ticket holders may not have boarded. Some might have planned to embark at later stations, while a few who escaped may have gotten lost or been recaptured by the militants.
Journalists Visit the Attack Site
On the fifth day after the attack, journalists were flown to the site in a helicopter from Quetta. Later, they traveled by train to the exact location, 15–20 minutes from Osaipur.
Senior journalist Shehzada Zulfiqar, who visited the site, told BBC Urdu that the attack happened in a remote, mountainous region with no communication facilities.
A strong security presence was in place to restore railway operations between Quetta and other cities.
At the location, Frontier Corps (FC) Balochistan’s Sibi Scouts commander, Brigadier Umar Altaf, briefed reporters.
He explained that FC troops are responsible for securing the railway tracks in this area.
How the Attack Took Place
The Jaffer Express was attacked near Osaipur, where militants detonated explosives on the railway tracks.
Shehzada Zulfiqar described the aftermath:
The explosion created a 10-foot-long and 4–6-foot-wide crater in the tracks.
The blast caused the engine and six bogies to derail, leaving only four bogies intact.
The train’s windshield was shattered, and bullet holes were visible on several compartments.
Railway officials told journalists that the train driver’s quick decision prevented more casualties.
He applied emergency brakes immediately, preventing the train from overturning, which could have caused more deaths.
Use of Heavy Weapons
Journalist Irfan Saeed, who also visited the site, noted bullet holes from heavy weapons on the train’s compartments. The attackers set bushes on fire, possibly to keep warm at night.
Security forces found unexploded hand grenades, rocket launcher fuses, and unused bullets at the scene.
During the counter-attack, security forces:
Killed two militants beneath the train.
Shot three more inside the bogies.
Found bottled water, hats, and other supplies left by the attackers.
Inside the train, there were bloodstains, torn clothes, and a strong odor, likely due to bodies left for an extended period.
Passengers’ Belongings Left Behind
Irfan Saeed observed that many passengers had abandoned their belongings in panic.
Shehzada Zulfiqar noted that bags, blankets, shoes, and utensils were scattered. Security forces did not allow journalists inside the compartments, as they were securing valuable items for the survivors and families of the deceased.
Rescue Operations and Media Restrictions
The clearance operation ended on the second day, allowing emergency teams to start rescuing the injured.
A volunteer from a relief organization, who wished to remain anonymous, said their team was transported to the site via a freight train from Machh.
However, security personnel confiscated their mobile phones before they reached the wreckage to prevent them from taking pictures or videos.
The volunteer recalled that most bogies, except for three or four, contained bodies. The priority was to evacuate the injured before nightfall, making it impossible to count the dead at that time.
Security Forces’ Response
During the media briefing, Brigadier Umar Altaf shared a timeline of the attack:
March 11, 1 PM: Militants attacked an FC checkpoint and detonated explosives on the railway tracks.
Despite the siege, FC soldiers engaged in combat for an extended period.
Three FC personnel were martyred while fighting back.
The militants then advanced toward the train, facing heavy resistance from security forces.
Brigadier Altaf stated that the attackers occupied mountain peaks and planned to prolong the hostage situation.
However, joint operations by multiple security agencies forced them to retreat into the mountains, where many were later eliminated.
Special operations teams and commandos successfully neutralized the militants onboard, preventing mass casualties among passengers.
