Aftermath of the Jaffar Express Attack: A Nation in Grief, A Leadership in Question

Aftermath of the Jaffar Express Attack: A Nation in Grief, A Leadership in Question

By Arbaz Khan Tareen

The tragic attack on the Jaffar Express in Balochistan has left deep scars, not just on those who survived but also on the families of the victims and the broader public. What began as a horrific hostage situation ended with a military operation that neutralized the attackers, yet the pain, fear, and outrage persist. As Pakistan grapples with the aftermath, the incident has once again exposed major gaps in governance, security preparedness, and crisis communication.
Following the hijacking of the Jaffar Express on March 11, 2025, security forces launched an extensive rescue mission involving the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps (FC) and the Special Services Group (SSG). The operation lasted over 24 hours, during which troops engaged in direct combat with the militants. Despite the complexity of the mission, the operation resulted in the successful rescue of hostages and the elimination of all identified militants. However, the intensity of the attack and the level of preparedness displayed by the insurgents have raised serious concerns about intelligence failures and response time. If such a large-scale attack could be orchestrated and executed without prior detection, it indicates significant gaps in surveillance and preemptive counterterrorism measures.
The operation resulted in the elimination of 32-35 militants, including 8 killed by the Zarrar team, 3 shot by SSG/SOW snipers, and approximately 22-25 neutralized in five UCAV strikes. Eleven dead bodies were recovered from the site. A total of 346 hostages were rescued, including 168 on the first night and 178 on the second day. The casualties included 28 martyrs, comprising 27 hostages and one FC soldier, along with 16 injured individuals, including military personnel, railway police officers, and civilians. Two FC soldiers from the 63 Wing remain missing.
Despite official statements declaring that the operation has concluded, conflicting reports continue to circulate. Some unverified sources claim that certain hostages are still inside the tunnel, surrounded by suicide bombers, raising concerns that the situation may not be entirely under control. However, no credible confirmation has been provided by the government or security forces regarding this matter. The lack of clear information from authorities has only fueled speculation and anxiety among the public. If the reports are true, then the security forces still face an ongoing challenge. If they are false, then it reflects the failure of state communication to address misinformation in a crisis. Either way, the public’s trust in government transparency has been severely shaken.
As the operation unfolded, families of the victims anxiously waited for updates about their loved ones. However, despite the gravity of the situation, there was a complete failure in government communication. Distressed relatives gathered at railway stations, security offices, and hospitals, desperately seeking information, yet no official statements were provided to them in real-time. Many expressed their frustration at having to rely on social media rumors rather than getting updates from the authorities. Anger boiled over as people questioned why it took hours—some even an entire day—before they were informed about the status of their loved ones. One distressed father, whose son was on the train, remarked, “The government just wants credit for the operation, but they couldn’t even call us to inform us about our loved ones.” The lack of organized crisis communication has worsened public resentment, making an already traumatic situation even more painful for the affected families.
Those who survived the Jaffar Express attack did not return home in relief, but in anger and frustration. Many of the rescued passengers openly criticized the government, particularly Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, whose dismissive attitude towards security concerns had already drawn widespread condemnation. A group of furious women who had been trapped on the train publicly mocked Naqvi’s infamous remark, “Aik SHO ki maar hai” (This is just a matter of an SHO’s force). One of them lashed out, saying: “Mohsin Naqvi should come to Balochistan without protocol! Let’s see how much an SHO’s force can do then!” Another victim, recounting his ordeal, said: “The militants didn’t harm families or children, but the government left us to fend for ourselves!” The widening trust gap between the state and the people of Balochistan is evident. The resentment is not just about the attack itself but also the government’s handling of the crisis, the lack of protection, and the failure to communicate effectively.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to visit Quetta any time sonner to condemn the attack and express solidarity with the victims’ families. However, many view this visit as an empty political gesture rather than a meaningful act of leadership. The reality is that the damage has already been done. While the Prime Minister’s presence may provide symbolic support, it does not address the deeper issues—the security failures, the intelligence lapses, and the lack of an effective crisis response. For the families who have lost their loved ones, this visit holds little significance. As one man bitterly stated, “If this government was truly with us, this attack wouldn’t have happened in the first place!”
This attack has exposed serious structural weaknesses in Pakistan’s security and governance. Beyond the immediate tragedy, several critical questions remain unanswered. Why was this attack not prevented? Why are attacks in Balochistan treated differently than in other provinces? What is the government’s long-term counterterrorism strategy?
The Jaffar Express tragedy is not just another terrorist incident—it is a wake-up call about Pakistan’s deteriorating security situation, lack of preparedness, and failure in governance. While the security forces neutralized the attackers, the true damage had already been done long before the rescue operation began. Until the government addresses fundamental issues—from intelligence failures to crisis mismanagement—such tragedies will continue to repeat themselves. The uncertainty surrounding whether all hostages have been rescued further deepens public frustration. If hostages are still inside, why isn’t there clarity? If the operation is over, why has the government failed to dispel misinformation? The question remains: Will this be a turning point for real security reform? Or just another tragedy lost in time?