Islamabad, Mar 12 (UNI) At least 16 terrorists were killed and 104 passengers rescued by security forces, which have launched a massive clearance operation in Balochistan's Bolan district after terrorists took hostage Jaffar Express passengers, media reports said on Wednesday.
The train, with over 400 passengers on board in nine bogies, was on its way from Quetta to Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa when it came under attack, according to security sources, the Geo News reported.
A railway official reported that 57 recovered passengers from the Jaffar Express were transported to Quetta early on Wednesday morning. Meanwhile, 23 other passengers remained in Machh, the officials stated.
According to media reports, around 58 men, 31 women, and 15 children were rescued from a hostage situation, with security forces continuing to rescue other hostages.
Following the security forces' operation, the militants split into small groups, security sources said, adding that 17 injured passengers were shifted to a nearby hospital for immediate medical treatment.
The attackers are communicating with their international handlers via satellite phones, said sources.
After security forces received word of the attack, they proceeded to the area with much difficulty due to the difficult terrain and cordoned off the area.
Security sources said earlier that the terrorists behind the attack are in contact with their mastermind in Afghanistan and are using women and children as human shields.
The operation was being carried out with extreme caution due to the presence of civilians onboard.
Security sources elaborated that the difficult terrain of the area further complicates the operation.
The attackers bombed the railway track before storming aboard the train, said security forces, adding that they also opened fire on the locomotive, injuring the driver.
The locomotive was stopped just before a tunnel, and terrorists took control of the train in a remote, mountainous area of the province that borders Afghanistan and Iran, the report said.
Security sources added that despite the challenging route, forces reached the scene in the Mushqaf area of the Bolan district of Balochistan to initiate the operation.
The Balochistan government has imposed emergency measures, and all institutions have been mobilised to deal with the situation, spokesperson Shahid Rind said.
A relief train and contingents of security forces were also dispatched to the site.
Meanwhile, an emergency has been imposed in Sibi and Civil Hospital Quetta, the report said.
According to the provincial health department, all medical and paramedical staff have been summoned to Civil Hospital, and several wards were vacated to deal with the situation, the report further added.
Following the incident, an emergency information desk has been established at Quetta Railway Station.
A railway official was appointed to share relevant developments regarding the Jaffar Express incident.
UNI ARN