PM Shehbaz demands political unity to eliminate terrorism after a deadly train hijacking leaves 25 dead in Balochistan
Pakistan was shaken by a horrifying terrorist attack as militants hijacked the Jaffar Express in Balochistan’s Bolan district, killing 25 people. The attack, carried out by the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), plunged the nation into mourning and reignited fears over rising militancy.
The ordeal began on Tuesday when terrorists ambushed the train, carrying 440 passengers from Quetta to Peshawar. Gunmen opened fire before taking hostages, forcing security forces into a high-stakes two-day operation. On Wednesday evening, the Pakistan Army declared the crisis over, confirming that all 33 terrorists had been “neutralised.”
Arriving in Quetta on Thursday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addressed the nation, urging Pakistan’s political and military leadership to unite against terrorism. “We cannot afford divisions when our nation is under attack,” he declared.
Shehbaz criticised the lack of consensus, warning that such disunity weakens Pakistan’s security efforts. He vowed to equip security forces with all necessary resources, stressing that “terrorism must be eradicated from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan for Pakistan’s survival.”
The Prime Minister condemned the attack’s timing, stating that militants showed “no regard for the sanctity of Ramadan.” He confirmed that 339 passengers had been safely rescued, while the attackers were “sent to hell.”
Shehbaz also took a swipe at PTI, blaming Imran Khan’s government for resettling Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) fighters, which he claimed led to the resurgence of terrorism.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif blasted PTI for allegedly politicising the attack, accusing its supporters of spreading misinformation. “At a time when the world stands with Pakistan, PTI is exploiting this tragedy,” he said.
Shehbaz reaffirmed the state’s zero-tolerance stance, vowing swift retribution against terrorists and their facilitators. “This is not just a fight against militants—it’s a war against lawlessness,” he asserted.
As Pakistan grapples with the trauma of this attack, the government has made one thing clear: terrorism will be crushed, and there will be no leniency for those who threaten national security.
