Jaffar Express to resume Peshawar-Quetta service from tomorrow 

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi on Wednesday announced that Jaffar Express, which was targeted in a militant attack in Balochistan on March 11, will resume service from Quetta to Peshawar from Thursday (tomorrow). 

Addressing a press conference in Quetta, Abbasi stated that Jaffar Express will depart from Quetta on Friday, while Bolan Mail, which previously operated three days a week, will now operate on a daily basis. 

“Decisions have been made at both security and government levels to track down terrorists wherever they are. The ongoing wave of terrorism across the country is part of a planned conspiracy against Pakistan. Our own people provide support to terrorists, which is why they succeed,” he said. 

Abbasi noted that railway tracks were restored within two days following the Jaffar Express attack. 

“Pakistan is the sixth nuclear power, which is why efforts are being made to fuel terrorism in the country,” he added. 

He acknowledged security concerns at railway stations and announced that 500 additional personnel would be recruited into the railway police. 

The minister also announced that five Eid special trains will be operated across the country on the directives of the prime minister. The first Eid special train will depart from Quetta on March 29, with a **20 per cent discount on tickets. 

It is worth mentioning that on March 11, Jaffar Express, en route from Quetta to Peshawar, was attacked by militants in the Bolani mountain range of Kachhi district between Pir Kumbari and Paneer railway stations.  

More than 400 passengers were taken hostage, and according to officials, 26 were killed, while the remaining were rescued. 

The operation lasted 36 hours, after which a clearance operation was launched in the surrounding mountains. 

The banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attack. The group has previously targeted passenger trains and security forces.