Jaffar Express Operation Successful: 21 Passengers, 4 FC Personnel Martyred; All 33 Terrorists Eliminated – DG ISPR Lt. Gen. Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry
“The Jaffar Express incident has changed the rules of the game; DG ISPR told in an Interview with a Private TV Channel
RAWALPINDI ( WEB NEWS )
Director General of the Pakistan Army’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Lt. Gen. Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry, announced that all hostages aboard Jaffar Express had been rescued and all 33 terrorists involved were eliminated. However, before the operation began, the terrorists martyred 21 civilians.
In an interview with a private TV channel, Lt. Gen. Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry revealed that on March 11, around 1 PM, terrorists detonated an explosive device on the railway track in the Bolan area of Osi Pur, where the Jaffar Express train was approaching. According to railway officials, the train carried 440 passengers.
He explained that the area was rugged and difficult to access. The terrorists initially used hostages as human shields, including women and children. The rescue operation commenced immediately, involving the Army, Air Force, Frontier Corps (FC), and Special Services Group (SSG).
The DG ISPR stated that hostages were released in phases, while the terrorists remained in contact with their facilitators and masterminds in Afghanistan through satellite phones. By Tuesday evening, nearly 100 passengers had been safely rescued from the terrorists.
He further mentioned that a significant number of hostages, including women and children, were rescued today, and the process continued intermittently. During the final clearance operation in the evening, all the remaining abducted passengers were freed. Since the terrorists were using hostages as human shields, the operation was conducted with extreme precision and caution.
According to Lt. Gen. Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry, the first target of the security forces’ snipers was the suicide bombers. After eliminating them, the security forces methodically cleared each train carriage, ensuring the complete elimination of all 33 terrorists. No innocent passenger was harmed during the clearance operation. However, before the operation began, the terrorists had already martyred 21 passengers.
Additionally, three FC personnel stationed at the railway picket were martyred, and one FC soldier lost his life during the operation on Tuesday.
Lt. Gen. Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry confirmed that all terrorists at the site had been neutralized. However, the area and train were still being thoroughly inspected according to standard operating procedures by the bomb disposal squad.
He added that authorities were also gathering passengers who had fled into surrounding areas during the operation. “No one will be allowed to target innocent Pakistani citizens on roads, trains, buses, or markets under the guise of misguided ideologies and at the behest of foreign masters. Those who engage in such acts will be eliminated and brought to justice,” he emphasized.
He further stated, “The Jaffar Express incident has changed the rules of the game because these terrorists have no connection with Islam, Pakistan, or Balochistan.”
During the briefing, DG ISPR pointed to a diagram showing three black blocks within a red circle, indicating the locations where the terrorists had positioned hostages alongside suicide bombers. This complexity required a highly cautious approach.
He explained that during the final clearance operation, the first objective was eliminating the suicide bombers, allowing hostages to escape. The operational team then proceeded inside the carriages, systematically neutralizing the terrorists while ensuring passenger safety.
Regarding the operation’s execution, he confirmed that the Pakistan Air Force played a vital role, fully supporting the mission. “The operation was carried out with the highest level of professionalism, and all 33 terrorists have been eliminated,” he reiterated.
Speaking about the role of social media, Lt. Gen. Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry remarked, “It is noteworthy that as soon as an incident occurs, Indian media starts spreading misleading reports within minutes. They use old footage, outdated images, and even AI-generated videos and pictures to manipulate narratives. This exposes the clear link between terrorists and their foreign sponsors.”
He also expressed disappointment that certain political elements in Pakistan activate their social media platforms during such incidents. “Instead of standing with the state, they try to justify such acts of terrorism with baseless arguments,” he said.
“It is regretful that in their lust for power, some individuals are willing to sacrifice national interests. However, the Pakistani people are well aware of these tactics and recognize the hidden hands behind such disruptive politics,” he added.
Lt. Gen. Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry further emphasized the importance of understanding the legal responsibilities regarding internal security and law enforcement. “Those who mislead the public with false narratives should first educate themselves on what the Constitution and law actually say about these matters.”
He highlighted that the Pakistan Armed Forces conduct 107 intelligence-based operations daily against terrorism, making continuous sacrifices for the nation.
“The real question is how to eliminate terrorism completely, which requires political and societal leadership. For instance, there is a terror-crime nexus in Pakistan; how are we addressing it? According to the law, terrorists should receive the harshest punishments—where do we stand in this regard?” he questioned.