QUETTA: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sahrif has emphasized for national Unity and dialogue against terrorism in Baluchistan province.
The incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon when the train, travelling from Quetta to Peshawar and carrying 440 passengers, was ambushed by terrorists of the banned Baluchistan Liberation Army (BLA) terrorist group. They opened fire on the train and held the passengers hostage, prompting the security forces to initiate an operation that lasted two days.
On Wednesday evening, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry confirmed that the operation had been concluded, with 33 terrorists present at the site of the attack neutralized. The ISPR chief also confirmed that 21 passengers and four Frontier Corps personnel lost their lives in the hijacking, but no hostages were harmed during the final rescue phase.
PM Shehbaz arrived in Quetta on a one-day visit earlier today in tow with federal ministers and other officials, chairing a high-level meeting to review the security situation.
Addressing a press conference after the meeting, the premier said, “The officials have gathered at a time when the entire nation is mourning the attack.”
PM Shehbaz called for Pakistan’s entire political leadership to sit down together with the military leadership to discuss the challenges that the country was facing.
“One challenge, in my view, is that there should have been complete unity on this incident, but unfortunately, there is a gap.”
He emphasized the need to achieve consensus and vowed to provide the security forces with the resources needed to fight terrorism.
“National unity and solidarity are needed more than ever. We will continue our politics, but on the crucial issue of saving the country from terrorism, we must stand as one.”
The premier said he would call a meeting for consultation to decide the next course of action.
