- Police says an explosive device planted on track detonated moments after Peshawar-bound train passed
- Attackers also fired four rockets from a distance that fortunately missed their target: Police
QUETTA/LAHORE: The Jaffar Express—one of Pakistan’s most frequently targeted passenger trains—narrowly escaped yet another bomb and rocket attack in Balochistan’s Nasirabad district on Sunday, marking the latest strike in a months-long campaign of sabotage against the province’s railway infrastructure, police and railway officials confirmed.
Police said an explosive device planted on the track was detonated moments after the Peshawar-bound train passed, while attackers also fired four rockets that fortunately missed their target.
Police officials said the device had been installed on the railway track in the Shaheed Abdul Aziz Bullo area of Nasirabad to target the train travelling from Quetta, but the train crossed safely and no loss of life was reported.
Nasirabad SSP Ghulam Sarwar said security forces immediately reached the blast site, cordoned off the area and launched a search operation. “Armed men targeted the passenger train with four rockets from a distance, but luckily none hit the train,” he said.
Railway officials confirmed a section of track was damaged, suspending rail traffic between Quetta and the rest of the country. However, the Jaffar Express continued its journey after reaching Jacobabad, Sindh. Officials added the train had resumed service today after a four-day suspension due to security concerns.
Balochistan has witnessed a surge in militant attacks, especially on rail infrastructure amid intensified counterterror operations, with the Jaffar Express repeatedly targeted since March 11, when Balochistan Liberation Army terrorists ambushed the Peshawar-bound train carrying 440 passengers, took hostages, and triggered a two-day clearance operation.
ISPR DG Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry had confirmed all 33 terrorists at the site were killed.
Subsequent attempts included:
— June 18: a remote-controlled blast derailing four bogies near Jacobabad, claimed by the banned Baloch Republican Guards.
— August 7: a bomb exploded moments after the train passed Sibi.
— August 10: six bogies derailed in Mastung after another track-planted device exploded.
— September 23: blast near Spezand derailed six bogies, injuring four passengers.
— October 7: four bogies derailed in Shikarpur, injuring seven.
— October 29: train escaped a rocket attack in Nasirabad’s Notal area.
According to analysts, Sunday’s attack reinforces fears that militants are sustaining a systematic campaign targeting the Jaffar Express—a key passenger link between Quetta and northern Pakistan—despite repeated security operations and repair efforts.
