LAHORE: Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said that all 33 terrorists were killed during the Jaffar Express rescue operation in Balochistan's Bolan district.

Speaking on private TV news' programme," he revealed that 21 civilians had already been martyred before the operation began.

The rescue mission concluded with the safe recovery of all passengers, though four FC personnel also embraced martyrdom. Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry stated that the final clearance operation was carried out with extreme caution and professionalism, ensuring no harm came to the hostages.

The terrorists had divided the passengers into three groups, and the rescue was executed step by step. The operation involved personnel from the Pakistan Army, Air Force, FC, and SSG.

The ISPR DG clarified that the terrorists responsible for the Jaffar Express attack had no connection to Islam or Balochistan. He disclosed that the terrorists used passengers as human shields and targeted innocent people with the support and facilitation of foreign handlers.

He described the attack site as remote and difficult to access. Despite these challenges, security forces successfully rescued women and children. The attack commenced on March 11 at 1pm when terrorists targeted the railway track and took passengers hostage.

The ISPR DG also pointed out that as soon as the incident occurred, Indian media broadcasted old videos, exposing the link between terrorists and their supporters. He criticised certain political elements in Pakistan for spreading baseless propaganda, accusing some individuals of sacrificing national interests in their pursuit of power.

However, he stressed that the people of Pakistan are aware of these tactics and are closely observing the situation.

He concluded by acknowledging the ongoing sacrifices of security personnel, emphasizing that soldiers continue to embrace martyrdom daily in the line of duty.

Published in The Daily National Courier, March, 12 2025

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