Pakistan Accuses Afghanistan of Orchestrating Deadly Train Attack: ‘It Was Like a Rain of Rockets and Bullets’

Pakistan Military Vows Retaliation as 36-Hour Siege Ends

Pakistan’s military has accused Afghanistan-based militants of masterminding the shocking hijacking of an entire train in Balochistan, a deadly assault that left at least 21 passengers dead. Intelligence reports indicate that the assailants, affiliated with the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), were in constant communication with their handlers in Afghanistan via satellite phones, directing the attack in real-time.

The attack began on Tuesday at 1 p.m. local time when armed militants stormed the Jaffar Express train, which was carrying over 400 passengers through the rugged terrain of Balochistan province. The militants hijacked the train, taking passengers hostage and unleashing a hail of gunfire and rockets. Security forces launched an intensive 36-hour operation to rescue passengers, culminating in the deaths of 33 attackers.

Military Holds Afghanistan Accountable for Attack

Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) stated that intelligence findings leave no doubt about Afghanistan’s involvement in the attack. According to ISPR’s statement, "Intelligence reports have unequivocally confirmed that the attack was orchestrated and directed by terrorist ring leaders operating from Afghanistan, who were in direct communication with the terrorists throughout the incident."

Pakistan has now demanded that the Taliban-led Afghan government take action against these groups and prevent its territory from being used as a launchpad for terrorism against Pakistan. "Pakistan expects the interim Afghan government to uphold its responsibilities and deny use of its soil for terrorist activities against Pakistan," ISPR said in a stern warning.

‘Rules of the Game Have Changed’ – Pakistan’s Military Response

Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, Director General of ISPR, issued a strong warning on national television, stating that the attack would bring significant changes in Pakistan’s counter-terrorism strategy. "Whoever does this, let me say it very clearly, will be hunted down and brought to justice. Let me also say that this incident of Jaffar Express changes the rules of the game," he stated on Dunya News TV.

The Pakistani military vowed to pursue those responsible, regardless of their location. "We cannot allow anyone to target Pakistanis on behalf of their foreign paymasters," Lt. Gen. Chaudhry emphasized, suggesting possible cross-border operations to dismantle terrorist networks operating in Afghanistan.

Terror on the Train: Eyewitness Accounts

Passengers aboard the ill-fated Jaffar Express described the horror of the attack, which unfolded near Sibi city, approximately 160 km (100 miles) from Quetta. Ghulam Sarwar, a 48-year-old assistant sub-inspector of the Pakistan Railways Police, recounted the traumatic experience.

"It was like a rain of rockets and bullets on the train, but we retaliated with gunfire,” Sarwar told Al Jazeera. "When we ran out of bullets, they came down and started pulling the passengers from the train."

Survivors reported that the militants systematically checked identity cards and targeted ethnic Punjabi passengers and those suspected of having ties to the Pakistani military. The execution of passengers continued for several kilometers before some of the militants dispersed.

BLA’s Ultimatum and Hostage Crisis

The Baloch Liberation Army claimed responsibility for the attack, which they described as a hostage operation designed to pressure the government. The group issued a 48-hour ultimatum demanding the release of Baloch political prisoners, forcibly disappeared persons, and other individuals affiliated with the Baloch resistance movement. Spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch said that hostages would be freed if authorities met their demands, but Pakistan refused to negotiate.

Global Condemnation and Diplomatic Fallout

The attack has drawn widespread condemnation from world powers, including the United States, China, and the United Nations.

• United States: The U.S. Embassy in Islamabad condemned the “horrific attack” and expressed solidarity with Pakistan, stating, “The Pakistani people deserve to live free from violence and fear. The United States will remain a steadfast partner of Pakistan in its efforts to ensure the safety and security of all its citizens.”

• China: Beijing, which has invested billions in Pakistan’s infrastructure projects, also condemned the attack. "We strongly condemn this terrorist attack and will continue to firmly support Pakistan in combating terrorism," said Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning.

• United Nations: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’s spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, called for the immediate release of hostages, adding that violence in the region must come to an end.

Pakistan’s Ongoing Terrorism Struggles

Pakistan has faced increasing militant attacks in recent years. According to the Global Terrorism Index released by the Institute for Economics and Peace, Pakistan was the second-most impacted country by terrorism last year, ranking only behind Burkina Faso. Just days before the train hijacking, a coalition of separatist groups, including the BLA, declared plans to escalate attacks on Pakistani forces and foreign interests, particularly Chinese projects in Balochistan.

As Pakistan intensifies its counterterrorism measures, the question remains: Will Afghanistan act against these militant groups, or will tensions between the two neighbors escalate further?