Pakistan blamed the recent hijacking of a train by separatist militants in the southwestern province of Balochistan on ‘foreign elements’ operating out of Afghanistan.
Militants blew up rail tracks and opened fire on the Jaffar Express as it traveled from Quetta, the capital of Balochistan, to Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, taking several of the 440 passengers hostage.
The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attack, which killed 21 hostages and four security personnel.
On Wednesday, the military’s media wing, said all 33 attackers were killed in an operation involving hundreds of troops, special forces, and military helicopters to free the hostages stranded in remote mountainous terrain.
Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan, during his weekly briefing, revealed that militants involved in the attack had been in contact with their associates in Afghanistan.
He said that traced phone calls from the incident confirmed links to individuals in Afghanistan, highlighting the presence of safe havens for such militants in the neighboring country.
He stated that Pakistan had completed the rescue operation following the terrorist attack. He reiterated Pakistan’s long-standing demand for the Afghan interim government to prevent groups like the BLA from using Afghan soil to target Pakistan.
“Pakistan continues to suffer from terrorism planned beyond its borders,” he said.
Pakistan to share evidence with Afghanistan
Pakistan has decided to share evidence of the Jaffer Express attack with Afghan authorities. Khan stated that similar evidence had been presented to Afghan officials in the past, and the practice would continue. He emphasized that Pakistan seeks stable relations with Afghanistan but considers counterterrorism a key bilateral issue.
He noted that Pakistan does not publicly disclose its diplomatic engagements but remains in constant contact with Afghanistan over security concerns.
Khan said several friendly nations had condemned the attack and reaffirmed their counterterrorism cooperation with Pakistan. However, he clarified that Pakistan’s policy on terrorism remains unchanged.
Torkham border issue
Addressing reports that Pakistan was unwilling to reopen the Torkham border, Khan said Pakistan wanted to keep the crossing open.
However, he added that Afghan authorities had attempted to construct security posts within Pakistani territory, which Pakistan would not permit.
The spokesperson dismissed allegations that USAID funds designated for schools were being diverted to terrorist activities, calling them baseless.
U.S. travel restrictions
Khan acknowledged reports about potential U.S. travel restrictions for Pakistani citizens but said no official communication had been received. He described the reports as speculation.
He also addressed the case of Pakistani official K.K. Ahsan Wagan, who traveled to the U.S. on a private visit. “Since Wagan was not on a diplomatic visa, he underwent secondary screening at immigration before being allowed entry. Pakistan is investigating the matter,” he added.
