Key points
- Hostages said terrorists denied them food
- They killed passengers based on their ethnic origin: rescued passengers
- The train was hijacked in the south-western Balochistan province
ISLAMABAD: Dozens of people rescued from a train hijacked by terrorists in southwestern Pakistan arrived on Thursday in the city of Quetta, hours after security forces killed all 33 attackers to end a day-long standoff.
The latest visuals showcased injured victims being treated in a hospital by paramedics in Quetta.
The victims narrated the horrific encounter of the standoff between the terrorists and security forces.
The terrorist blew up the rail tracks and opened fire on the Jaffar Express as it made its way to Peshawar in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from Quetta, the capital of the Balochistan province, taking hostage several of the 440 aboard.
“Men armed with rocket launchers, guns, and other weapons stormed the train on Tuesday and began shooting people, said Arslan Yousaf, one of those who arrived in Quetta escorted by security forces.
The terrorist grouped the passengers on the basis of their region of origin, Yousaf added.
Men armed with rocket launchers, guns, and other weapons stormed the train on Tuesday and began shooting people.” – Rescued hostage Arslan Yousaf
“Other times, they targeted specific individuals. If they had a grudge against someone, they shot him on the spot.”
Hundreds of troops, special forces and military helicopters joined the effort to free the hostages stranded in remote mountainous terrain.
“Hostages survived only on water”
The hostages survived only on water during the time they were held, said Muhammad Tanveer, another passenger.
“The terrorists breached the train by smashing windows, but they mistakenly believed we were dead,” said train driver Amjad, who dived to the engine floor for cover when the militants opened fire and lay there for about 27 hours to survive.
Another passenger said they sprayed bullets at some of the hostages and threatened to kill everyone.
When the security forces began the clearance operation, we saw a glimmer of hope, and luckily, we were saved.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is visiting the area on Thursday, media said.
He condemned the attack in a post on X on Tuesday, adding, “Such cowardly acts will not shake Pakistan’s resolve for peace.”
