PESHAWAR : The Jaffar Express, which was targeted in a terrorist attack near Bolan in Balochistan, has been restored after a hiatus of 16 days.
The passenger train departed from Peshawar Cantonment Railway Station, where federal minister Ameer Muqam and railways officials were present to see off the travellers.
The Jaffar Express will pass through Punjab, Sindh, and then enter Balochistan, covering a 34-hour journey to reach Quetta by Friday evening. A total of 280 passengers have made reservations for the journey, with 28 passengers leaving from Peshawar.
It is the only train that passes through all four provinces of the country.
The Jafar Express was attacked by terrorists on March 11, which led to the suspension of the train service. Security forces had killed all 33 terrorists in the operation while 26 passengers lost their lives in the attack.
Speaking on the train departure ceremony, Muqam stated that it was a desire of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to restore the Jaffar Express service to Quetta, and now the train has commenced its journey from Peshawar.
He added that PM Shehbaz and Chief of Army Staff Gen Asim Munir are determined to ensure the security of the country, adding that all nefarious designs of terrorists will be foiled.
Amir Muqam also highlighted the determination of the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the fight against terrorism, stating that the battle against the scourge of terrorism will continue until its elimination. He added that terrorism is a national issue, and everyone must unite to defeat it.
The federal minister criticised the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), stating the opposition party’s movements were not aimed at the development of the country and province but to seize control of Islamabad. He remarked there is no consistency in the PTI’s policies.
Muqam also termed the repatriation of Afghan refugees inevitable, adding that it will be implemented according to the circumstances.
JAFFAR EXPRESS TRAGEDY
On March 11, the outlawed Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) blew up train tracks and held over 440 passengers hostages near a remote mountain pass in the Bolan district.
After a day-long standoff, security forces killed 33 attackers and rescued the remaining passengers as the terrorists had martyred 26 people before the launch of the operation. Four security personnel embraced martyred during the operation.
Addressing a press conference on March 14, Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry called India the main sponsor of terrorism in Balochistan. He added that the attack on Jaffar Express was a part of the same policy.
He also criticised the Indian media for using old social media footage to delude people. He also said there was a “nexus” which wanted to legitimize the terrorist narrative and their actions.
He further disclosed that the terrorists operated in groups and remained in contact with handlers in Afghanistan during the attack.
