On July 20, 2023, Baloch separatists attacked Pakistan’s Jaffar Express, leading to significant violence and casualties. Survivors described harrowing experiences of ethnic targeting and executions during the incident. Security forces managed a rescue operation, but both sides suffered fatalities. The event signifies rising tensions in Balochistan, reflecting continued calls for independence and the state’s ongoing security challenges.
On Tuesday, July 20, 2023, a deadly attack by Baloch separatists occurred on the Jaffar Express passenger train in Pakistan’s Balochistan province. Armed fighters from the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) targeted the train with rocket-propelled grenades and gunfire while it traveled through the Bolan Pass, a mountainous region. The ambush unfolded approximately 160 km from Quetta, the provincial capital, as the train was en route to Peshawar.
The Jaffar Express operates over a distance exceeding 1,600 km through various regions, making several stops before arriving at Peshawar. The incident resulted in a violent confrontation, with security forces confirming that a military operation was launched that evening to rescue passengers. In total, 346 individuals were rescued, while casualties on both sides included 26 passengers, the train driver, a paramilitary soldier, and 33 attackers.
Survivors recounted harrowing accounts of their experience. Ghulam Sarwar, a 48-year-old railway police officer, described witnessing many executions and a fierce exchange of gunfire as he fled. The attackers specifically targeted passengers based on their ethnic backgrounds, executing those believed to be ethnic Punjabis or military personnel. “It was like a rain of rockets and bullets on the train, but we retaliated with gunfire,” Sarwar recalled.
Murad Ali, 68, narrated how he managed to escape after being identified by the attackers but later fled on foot alongside women and children. He corroborated witness accounts of the chaos and violence, stating, “I saw a rocket hit the engine of the train.” Survivors endured dense smoke from explosions and ongoing gunfire throughout the ordeal.
Balochistan’s Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti condemned the attack as an attempt to illustrate disorder in Quetta. The assault underscores ongoing tensions, as Baloch separatists assert their grievances regarding political oppression and human rights abuses in Pakistan. Moreover, this event marks the first successful hijacking of a train, although militant-related incidents on Pakistani railways have previously occurred, including a fatal bombing late last year.
The attack on the Jaffar Express highlights escalating violence in Balochistan, emphasizing the ongoing struggle between separatists and the Pakistani state. Survivors’ testimonies underscore the horrific reality faced by those involved, characterized by targeted violence based on ethnicity and the intensity of the assault. The response from security forces and the implications of such attacks reflect broader security challenges in the region, necessitating vigilant monitoring and comprehensive political dialogue to address the underlying issues.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
