Balochistan, March 11: Several individuals, including the driver, sustained injuries when terrorists opened fire on the Jaffar Express near Ab Gham in the Mach area of Balochistan on Tuesday. The attack caused panic among passengers, with local reports confirming that around six armed militants were involved.
Rescue and security teams swiftly arrived at the scene, launching a search operation in the surrounding mountainous region. The passenger train, traveling from Quetta to Peshawar, came under heavy gunfire, leading to immediate security concerns.
Railway authorities confirmed that an emergency relief train carrying essential supplies has been dispatched to the attack site. As a precaution, the Bolan Mail train from Karachi and another Jaffar Express from Peshawar have been halted at Sibi.
Government Response
Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind reported heavy gunfire in the Gudalra and Piro Kanri areas. “Due to the difficult mountainous terrain, reaching the site is proving to be a challenge,” Rind stated. He added that an emergency has been declared at Sibi hospital, with ambulances and medical teams dispatched to the location.
Security forces are actively assessing the situation and investigating possible terrorist links to the incident. “A relief train from the Railways Department has also been sent to the location,” Rind confirmed.
Resurgence of Violence in Balochistan
Pakistan has witnessed a surge in militant activity, particularly in its western border regions, since the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in 2021. The Islamabad-based Center for Research and Security Studies reported that over 1,500 civilians, security personnel, and militants were killed last year alone, marking a six-year high in casualties.
This latest attack comes amid a series of violent incidents in Balochistan. Last week, three barbers from Sindh were shot dead in their shop in Panjgur by unidentified assailants. Similarly, on March 7, religious scholar Mufti Shah Mir Bizenjo was gunned down in Turbat after leaving a mosque, with Indian reports suggesting he played a role in the arrest of Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav.
Authorities continue to investigate the attack on the Jaffar Express, as security forces intensify efforts to curb escalating violence in the region. Further updates on the incident are expected as the situation unfolds.
