Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday reacted to the Jaffar Express. hijack and said that “such cowardly acts” wouldn’t deter the nation’s “resolve for peace.” His reaction came a day after the train got hijacked by separatist group Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) that took hundreds as hostages and killing several people.
“Spoke with Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti who briefed me on the latest developments in the heinous terrorist attack on Jaffar Express. The entire nation is deeply shocked by this dastardly act and saddened by the loss of innocent lives—such cowardly acts will not shake Pakistan’s resolve for peace,” he said.
“I offer my heartfelt condolences to the families of the martyrs. May Allah grant them the highest ranks in Jannah and bless those injured with a swift recovery. Dozens of the terrorists have been sent to hell,” he added.
As the rescue efforts continue, 190 hostages have been freed so far and 30 militants have been killed.
“So far, 190 passengers have been rescued, and 30 terrorists have been killed. Due to the presence of women and children with suicide bombers, extreme caution is being exercised,” AFP quoted a security source saying.
BLA claimed responsibility for the attack, with spokesman Jeeyand Baloch saying that the group was willing to release passengers if the government freed jailed militants. However, authorities, who have historically rejected such demands, did not comment on the offer.
The BLA has a history of targeting Pakistani security forces and has also carried out attacks on civilians, including Chinese nationals involved in multibillion-dollar projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).