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Pakistan’s Security Forces Crush Jaffar Express Hijackers as Political Debate Intensifies
Pakistan’s security forces neutralized 33 terrorists after BLA militants hijacked Jaffar Express, saving 440 passengers. The operation’s success sparked a heated political debate, with parties blaming each other over counterterrorism policies. National unity is needed now more than ever.
ND
by News Desk
2025-03-13
Pakistan’s Security Forces Crush Jaffar Express Hijackers as Political Debate Intensifies

Pakistan’s security forces successfully neutralized 33 terrorists after the hijacking of the Jaffar Express, which was traveling from Quetta to Peshawar with 440 passengers. The attack, carried out by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), lasted two days before all hostages were safely rescued. However, 21 passengers and four Frontier Corps personnel lost their lives during the incident, ISPR confirmed.

 

Political Fallout and PTI Criticism

While the security operation was underway, political tensions escalated. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif condemned Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for allegedly politicizing the attack, accusing them of prioritizing political narratives over national security. He criticized PTI’s social media activity and statements that questioned the intelligence agencies’ focus on counterterrorism.

 

PTI leaders, including opposition leader Omar Ayub, slammed the government’s handling of the crisis, pointing to security lapses and intelligence failures. Asif responded by holding PTI accountable for past decisions, particularly their handling of Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) fighters.

 

Rising Terrorism and the Afghanistan Factor

Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan reiterated that intelligence confirmed terrorist communication with handlers in Afghanistan, reigniting Pakistan’s demand for Kabul to take firm action against groups like TTP and BLA.

 

Meanwhile, Pakistan has seen a sharp rise in terrorist attacks. The Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) reported 79 attacks in February alone, killing 55 civilians and 47 security personnel. Security forces have ramped up operations, eliminating 156 terrorists last month.

 

National Assembly Resolution & Bilawal’s Response

The National Assembly passed a resolution condemning the attack and vowing zero tolerance for terrorism. It praised security forces for their swift action and called for national unity to combat extremism.

 

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari also spoke in the assembly, linking Pakistan’s long history of terrorism to his party’s personal losses, including his mother Benazir Bhutto’s assassination. He warned that terrorism was resurging due to political disunity and called for a renewed commitment to the National Action Plan.

 

A Moment for Unity

As Pakistan reels from this tragedy, the political blame game continues. However, leaders from all sides acknowledge that combating terrorism requires unity, strategy, and unwavering commitment. The success of the Jaffar Express operation is a testament to the resilience of Pakistan’s security forces, but the real challenge lies ahead—ensuring lasting peace.


Tagged:

BLA

CounterTerrorism

PakistanSecurityForces

JaffarExpress
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