PakistanArmy Condemns Train Hijacking, Demands Afghan Cooperation
The train hijacking has highlighted the need for Pakistan to take action against anti-Pakistan terrorists on Afghan soil and to address the political problems underlying the crisis in Balochistan, while also seeking cooperation from the international community to combat terrorism.
The Pakistan Foreign Office has accused Afghanistan of harboring terrorists responsible for the recent hijacking of a train in Balochistan, which resulted in the deaths of 21 passengers and 4 paramilitary soldiers, and has urged Kabul to cooperate in bringing the perpetrators to justice.
The Foreign Office spokesperson, Shafqat Ali Khan, stated that the Afghan soil had been used against Pakistan, and the latest terrorist attack was orchestrated and directed by terrorist ring leaders operating from abroad. The spokesperson demanded that Afghanistan hold perpetrators, organizers, and financiers of the attack accountable and cooperate with Pakistan to bring them to justice. The Afghan Taliban government has rejected Pakistan's allegations, further straining the already tense relations between the two countries.
Survivors of the Pakistan train hijack recounted a 36-hour ordeal, recalling how BLA militants stormed the Jaffar Express, killing and injuring numerous passengers. The militants, armed with rocket launchers and guns, shot passengers at random, targeting specific individuals and those from the Pakistan Army and security forces. The hostages survived on water, and some crouched on the floor for hours, including the train driver, Amjad, who hid in the engine for 27 hours.
The government has been criticized for its response to the crisis, with some arguing that a solely militarized response has failed to deliver and that a national reconciliation effort is needed to address the root causes of terrorism in Balochistan. The Foreign Office has also accused India of sponsoring terrorism in Pakistan, while asserting that the hijacking was coordinated from Afghanistan.
The Pakistan Army's swift response to the hijacking, which resulted in the elimination of 33 terrorists, has been commended. However, the government must take a more proactive approach to address the underlying issues driving terrorism in the region, including the lack of development in Balochistan and Indian involvement in stirring trouble in the province.
