QUETTA by Hasan Hasrat: An unknown number of terrorists took passengers of the Jaffar Express hostage on Tuesday in Balochistan’s Bolan area, prompting a response by security forces.
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.
Security forces cordoned off and surrounded the train, and a heavy exchange of fire is ongoing.
Security sources said 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 is being carried out with extreme caution due to the presence of civilians onboard.
Security sources elaborated that the operation is further complicated by the difficult terrain of the area.
The train was stopped after a portion of the track was blown up by the terrorists, said security forces, adding that they also opened fire on the locomotive, injuring the driver.
Security officials present on the train and the attackers also reportedly exchanged fire.
The terrorists then took control of the train in a tunnel. The area is mountainous near the Afghan border.
