Priyanka
Share
A new surprising event is taking place in Pakistan. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has taken control of Jaffar Express, a prized Indian passenger train. There was an assembly of over five hundred individuals which included passengers from all the nine coaches. Out of these, approximately a hundred were soldiers of the Pakistani army. The BLA has put forth a dangerous ultimatum: any attempt at hostile military engagement, and everyone on board will perish. Six Pakistani soldiers have already met their end at the hands of the BLA. Meanwhile, women, children, and Baloch civilians have been set free. Pakistan's ground force has retreated. BLA is being bombarded by helicopters and drones.
Which locations does Jaffar Express travel between? What are its timings and halts?
Jaffar Express train travels from Quetta to Peshawar with a stop in Rawalpindi. The train leaves Quetta Railway station at 09:00 am and arrives at Peshawar Railway station the following day at 07:00 PM, stopping at 40 stations along the route. The train begins its journey at Quetta, halting at Kolpur, Machh, Ab-e-Gum, Sibi, Bakhtiarabad, Dera Murad Jamali, Dera Allah Yar, Jacobabad, Shikarpur, sukkhar, Rohri, Pano Aqeel, Ghotki, Sadiqabad, Rahim Yar Khan, Khanpur, Bahawalpur, Multan Cantt, Khanewal, Mian Channu, Chichawatni, Sahiwal, Okara, Pattoki, Raiwind, Kot Lakhpat, Lahore Cantt, Lahore Junction, Gujranwala, Wazirabad Junction, Gujrat, Lala Musa Junction, Kharian, Jhelum, Gujran Khan, Rawalpindi, Attock City Junction, Jehangira Road, Nowshera Junction, Peshawar City, Peshawar Cantt.
The train hijacking incident took place in Piroknari area of Kutch (Bolan) district. Currently the train is standing in a tunnel.
There have been attacks on trains many times before.
It is openely stated that Jaffar Express has been under fire multiple times in the past.
In the previous incident on the 5th of January, 2013 shooting was targeted at a train leading to 3 deaths and 19 injuries.
On 16 August 2013, a rocket attack was launched on a train in Bolan and, this time, two Pakistani national loses their lives.
Killing seven people, another blast occurred in the train on twenty first October, two thousand and thirteen.
On April 1, 2015, three other people were killed in an explosion on this train.
Baloch Liberation Army Statement
The Baloch Liberation Army posted a statement claiming that its operation Mashkaf, Dhadar, Bolan started with the blowing of the railway track. In turn, the Jaffar Express was forced to halt. Subsequently, the train was commandeered, and all riders were taken captive. Should the Pakistani military try to conduct any operations, BLA has warned the repercussions would be grave and all captives will perish. The army will assume full responsibility for these deaths.
And on the contrary, the moment the Pakistani government and military received word that the train had been seized, they felt a sinking feeling. Work towards freeing the captives is underway.
