Pakistan Blames India for Jaffar Express Attack, Cites Terror Links in Afghanistan

Islamabad: A day after security forces successfully completed the rescue operation following the Jaffar Express attack, Pakistan’s Foreign Office (FO) accused India of orchestrating the deadly incident. The FO stated on Thursday that the attack was planned by the leadership of a terrorist organization based abroad.

During a weekly press briefing, FO spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan revealed that intelligence reports indicated the terrorists were in contact with their associates in Afghanistan. He added that intercepted communications confirmed links between the attackers and safe havens across the border.

The accusation follows the military’s successful clearance operation, during which all 33 militants from the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) were eliminated. The Jaffar Express, carrying over 400 passengers, was hijacked in the Bolan district’s Mushkaf area. While all hostages were eventually rescued, 21 passengers were killed by the terrorists before security forces intervened. Additionally, four Frontier Corps (FC) personnel were martyred during the operation.

Khan reiterated that Pakistan has consistently urged the Afghan interim government to prevent militant groups like the BLA from using its soil for terrorism. He noted that Pakistan has repeatedly provided detailed evidence of such activities to Afghan authorities but refrains from discussing diplomatic engagements in public forums.

Despite tensions, the spokesperson emphasized that Pakistan remains committed to maintaining friendly ties with Afghanistan, with counterterrorism being a key area of international cooperation.

Following the successful operation, Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, stated that the Jaffar Express incident had “changed the rules of the game,” signaling a shift in Pakistan’s approach to handling terrorism threats.