Jaffar Express resumes service from Quetta

QUETTA: Pakistan Railways resumed train operations from Balochistan on Saturday after a three-day suspension, railway officials said, with the Jaffar Express leaving Quetta for Peshawar.

Officials said rail services from the province had been fully restored. They added that the return Jaffar Express would also leave Peshawar for Quetta according to schedule, re-establishing the link between Balochistan and other parts of the country.

The Jaffar Express, the only train service running from Quetta to Peshawar, had been suspended last Sunday after a vehicle-borne suicide bombing targeted a shuttle train near the Chaman railway crossing. The Jaffar Express had been ready to depart at the time, but was stopped immediately and later cancelled, while passengers were told to obtain refunds.

The service was restored after two days, but was suspended again on Wednesday. Railway authorities did not state the reason for the suspension from either side. On Saturday, however, the train left on time after rail traffic was restored.