Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry on Friday revealed that India was the "main sponsor" behind the Jaffar Express hijacking in Balochistan.
Addressing a press conference alongside Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti, Lt. Gen. Chaudhry detailed the security operation and condemned Indian media for running a misinformation campaign.
The attack on the Jaffar Express, traveling from Quetta to Peshawar, occurred on March 11 at around 1:00 PM, when an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was detonated near the train. Following the explosion, heavily armed terrorists launched an assault, systematically executing their plan.
Lt. Gen. Chaudhry revealed that the terrorists operated in multiple groups. One group forced women and children to stay inside the train, using them as human shields, while others dragged the remaining passengers outside. The terrorists then took hostages and moved towards the rugged mountainous terrain, making an immediate counter-operation challenging.
Security forces’ swift action
In response, Pakistan’s Zarrar Company, FC Balochistan, and law enforcement agencies launched a carefully planned clearance operation. Within 36 hours, security forces successfully neutralized 33 terrorists and rescued the hostages.
DG ISPR emphasized that this was one of the most successful counterterrorism operations in Pakistan’s history. "No civilian casualties occurred during the operation; all civilian deaths happened before our forces intervened," he clarified. The security forces first targeted suicide bombers among the attackers to prevent further loss of life.
Foreign involvement and Indian media’s misinfo
During the press conference, Lt. Gen. Chaudhry accused India of orchestrating the attack, stating that the terrorists were in contact with their handlers in Afghanistan and were using foreign weapons. He asserted that this was not an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern of cross-border terrorism.
Furthermore, he criticized Indian media for spreading disinformation and leading a social media warfare campaign. He revealed that a fake video created using Artificial Intelligence (AI) was widely circulated by Indian news channels to misrepresent the operation. “Indian media presented the attack as an achievement, fueling propaganda to distort facts,” he said.
The ISPR also played clips of Indian media broadcasts, showing how outdated footage was mixed with terrorist propaganda videos. Lt. Gen. Chaudhry denounced this as an attempt to mislead the global audience and defame Pakistan.
Condemnation from Balochistan leadership
Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti strongly condemned the attack, stating that "those who commit such acts in the name of Baloch nationalism have no connection with the Baloch people." He emphasized that Baloch traditions do not permit violence against unarmed civilians.
Bugti praised Pakistan’s security forces, calling their swift and effective response "commendable." He also expressed gratitude to the United States, China, Russia, Britain, Iran, Turkey, Jordan, UAE, Bahrain, and the United Nations Secretary-General for their support and condemnation of the attack.
Pakistan’s National Action Plan
Lt. Gen. Chaudhry reiterated the need for strict implementation of Pakistan’s National Action Plan (NAP), formulated after 2014 and later revised. He emphasized that all stakeholders agreed on 14 crucial points necessary for eradicating terrorism, including:
- No armed militant group will be allowed to operate within Pakistan
- Terror financing must be stopped
- Terror-related propaganda on media and social media must be countered
- Forensic investigations in terrorism cases must be expedited
- Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) capabilities should be enhanced
- Madrassa regulations and registrations should be enforced
He revealed that these measures have not been fully implemented, which is hindering counterterrorism efforts. Despite this, Pakistan’s security forces have conducted 11,654 operations so far this year, averaging 180 intelligence-based operations daily.
“In 2024 and 2025, we have eliminated 1,250 terrorists, while 563 of our soldiers have been martyred,” he stated. He reaffirmed the armed forces' commitment to fighting terrorism despite these challenges.
Afghanistan’s role in harboring terrorists
Lt. Gen. Chaudhry pointed out that terrorist groups receive support from Afghanistan, where their leaders operate freely. He noted that:
Terrorist training and recruitment happen in Afghanistan.
When the U.S. withdrew, it left behind weapons now used in attacks.
Afghanistan is failing to fulfill its commitments and has become a proxy for hostile forces against Pakistan.
He further revealed that Pakistan is taking strict action against smuggling, which has been a key funding source for terrorist networks. Smuggling of dollars, currency, petrol, non-customs paid vehicles, and other goods worth billions of dollars is being curbed, leading to strong resistance from smuggling mafias.
The issue of missing persons
Addressing the issue of missing persons, Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti clarified that allegations against the government are mere propaganda. “If someone goes missing, it is the government’s responsibility to find them. But claiming that the government is behind disappearances is baseless,” he said.
Bugti questioned why Balochistan is singled out when similar cases exist in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the U.S., the UK, and India. He revealed that a commission was formed to investigate missing persons, which received 10,405 cases, out of which 8,044 have been resolved. In Balochistan alone, 2,911 cases were reported since 2011, with only 452 still pending.
Pakistan’s firm stance against terrorism
DG ISPR reaffirmed that Pakistan will not tolerate cross-border terrorism. He urged the international community to hold India accountable for its state-sponsored terrorism inside Pakistan.
“This is not the first time India has been linked to acts of terror inside Pakistan. The world must take notice of such blatant sponsorship of terrorism,” he asserted.
Lt. Gen. Chaudhry concluded by assuring that Pakistan’s armed forces remain vigilant and will continue to eliminate all threats to national security. “The enemies of Pakistan will fail, and our resilience will prevail,” he declared.
Background of attack
The Jaffar Express, carrying 440 passengers, departed Quetta at 9:30 AM on March 11. As it passed through the Gudalar and Peru Kanri regions, armed terrorists opened fire and later detonated an IED. The attack led to the tragic martyrdom of 21 passengers and soldiers.
Following the incident, Pakistani authorities launched an immediate operation, tracking the terrorists into the mountainous terrain. The rescue mission ensured the safe evacuation of civilians, with no loss of hostages during the clearance operation.
DG ISPR reassured the public that Pakistan’s armed forces remain vigilant against such threats. He warned that the state will not allow hostile elements to destabilize Pakistan and vowed that security measures will be further strengthened in sensitive railway routes and public transport sectors.
Lt. Gen. Chaudhry also urged the international community to hold India accountable for its involvement in fueling terrorism in Pakistan. “This is not the first time India has been linked to acts of terror inside Pakistan. The world must take notice of such blatant sponsorship of terrorism,” he asserted.
