QUETTA: Security forces have been carrying out a clearance operation in Bolan district after terrorists took passengers of the Jaffar Express hostage, eliminating at least 27 attackers and rescuing 155 civilians.
The train carrying over 400 passengers in nine bogies was going from Quetta to Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa when it came under attack, according to security sources.
The Pakistan Railways official said that 57 recovered passengers from the Jaffar Express were shifted to Quetta early Wednesday morning. Meanwhile, they added that 23 other passengers remained in Machh.
The rescued passengers included 58 men, 31 women and 15 children.
The security sources said that forces are carrying out the operation to rescue the other hostages.
After the security forces’ operation, the terrorists split into small groups. Sources said that 17 injured passengers were transported to a nearby hospital for immediate medical treatment.
Sources said that the attackers are in contact with their international handlers via satellite phones.
