‘It was pure terror’: Passenger recalls harrowing moments during Pakistan train hijacking

Dubai: In a chilling and heart-wrenching account, an eyewitness shared the terrifying moments during the hijacking of the Jaffar Express in Balochistan province, Pakistan, where over 100 passengers were held hostage by armed terrorists.

The attack, which occurred on Tuesday, not only derailed the train but also left people trapped in a nightmare of fear and chaos.

“I could hear screams everywhere. People were shouting, and others just lay flat on the floor, trying to survive,” said the eyewitness, visibly shaken as he recalled the traumatic events.

“There were explosions, and people were begging for their lives. It was pure terror.”

The situation turned grim as the attackers, believed to be members of the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), ambushed the train in Kacchi district, an area infamous for insurgent activities.

The militants, who took control of the train and diverted it off the tracks, began holding the passengers hostage, including women, children, and security personnel.

As the train screeched to a halt, the hijackers issued chilling threats. “When they finally allowed us to leave, they warned us not to look back,” the eyewitness added. His wife and a few others managed to escape, but for those who remained, the fear of death hung in the air. “The attackers even positioned suicide bombers close to the hostages, threatening to kill them if anyone tried to escape.”

Full-scale military operation

Security forces quickly launched a full-scale military operation to rescue the hostages, leading to intense gunfire as the terrorists, now split into smaller groups, fought to avoid capture.

The dramatic standoff lasted for hours, and while many hostages were freed, at least 30 people, including the driver and security personnel, lost their lives in the crossfire.

Speaking to Geo News, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry said that about 70 to 80 terrorists were involved in the incident.

“Even right now, the terrorists have made human shields out of women and children. These suicide bombers are making small groups of the women and children and staying with them.

“That’s why this operation is being undertaken with care, to protect the maximum number of lives,” the minister said.

The attack, which left residents in disbelief, is being seen as an unprecedented act of terrorism in the region. For many, it is hard to comprehend how something so horrific could unfold over a simple train ride.

Pakistani officials are still working to secure the area, and while 16 militants are believed to have been killed, there are ongoing concerns for the safety of those still held hostage.

With women and children being used as human shields by the attackers, security forces have been forced to proceed with extreme caution.