ISPR DG berates Indian media for false propaganda on Jaffar Express attack
Pakistan
Both ISPR head and chief minister will highlight key points related to Jaffar Express incident
RAWALIPINDI (Dunya News) – Inter-Services Public Relations Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, along with Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti, held a crucial press conference regarding the Jaffar Express attack.
Addressing the presser, Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif stated that terrorists attacked the Jaffar Express on a difficult route, making it hard for security forces to reach the site. The railway track was blown up using IEDs, he said.
He revealed that women and children were kept inside the train, while others were taken out and forced to sit on the ground. He said international warfare supported the terrorists, led by Indian media, which repeatedly aired fake videos as propaganda.
The ISPR director general added that Indian media falsely showed the train burning and backed the terrorists’ narrative using AI-generated images and videos provided by terror groups.
He criticised the Indian media for using old social media footage to delude people. He also said there was a “nexus” which wanted to legitimize the terrorist narrative and their actions.
Read more: Bodies of four martyrs of Jaffar Express tragedy reach Islamabad
He further disclosed that the terrorists operated in groups and remained in contact with handlers in Afghanistan during the attack. Some hostages managed to escape when SSG snipers diverted the terrorists’ attention. Among the terrorists were suicide bombers, and SSG commandos cleared the train’s engine and all carriages.
Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif stressed that the entire operation was executed with skill, caution, and professionalism. Tragically, some passengers were martyred by terrorists to spread fear. A commando from the Zarrar Company was injured by sniper fire from the mountains. A deceased terrorist was found with foreign-made weapons.
In response to a question, he said he did not buy the argument of intelligence failure. He said intelligence agencies were working day in and day out to save the people of Pakistan.
As many as 33 terrorists were killed and 25 people, four security personnel among them, were martyred in the brazen gun and bomb attack on the Jaffar Express which was on its way to Peshawar from Quetta.
TERRORISTS WANT TO DESTABILISE PAKISTAN: BUGTI
Speaking on the occasion, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti lauded the Pakistan Army for safely rescuing the hostages. "I pay tribute to security forces for the successful operation," he said.
Bugti said some terrorists had dishonoured the Baloch traditions, adding that they wanted to make Pakistan unstable.
He condemned the attack on Jaffar Express. He acknowledged the brave security forces for rescuing hostages.
“Terrorists aim to destabilise Pakistan and warned against linking terrorism to Baloch rights. Terrorists should not be called Baloch, as such acts have no connection to Baloch traditions. Those spreading unrest are mere terrorists who have violated Baloch customs,” said Bugti.
ISPR DG SPEAKS TO DUNYA NEWS
Earlier, Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, while speaking on Dunya News' programme 'On the Front', claimed that 21 civilians had already been martyred before the operation began. The rescue mission concluded with the safe recovery of all passengers, though four FC personnel also embraced martyrdom, he said.
He said the final clearance operation was carried out with extreme caution and professionalism, ensuring no harm came to the hostages. The terrorists had divided the passengers into three groups, and the rescue was executed step by step, he said.
He said the operation involved personnel from the Pakistan Army, Air Force, FC, and SSG.
The ISPR DG clarified that the terrorists responsible for the Jaffar Express attack had no connection with Islam or Balochistan.
He disclosed that the terrorists used passengers as human shields and targeted innocent people with the support and facilitation of foreign handlers.
Read more: National Assembly passes resolution condemning attack on Jaffar Express
He described the attack site as remote and difficult to access. Despite these challenges, security forces successfully rescued women and children. The attack commenced on March 11 at 1pm when terrorists targeted the railway track and took passengers hostage.
The ISPR DG also pointed out that as soon as the incident occurred, Indian media broadcast old videos, exposing the link between terrorists and their supporters.
PM SHEHBAZ SUMMONS ALL-PARTY CONFERENCE
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has convened an all-party conference (APC) to discuss the law and order situation amid rising incidents of terrorism in the country.
“We’ll invite the entire political leadership and armed forces of the country to develop a consensus,” the prime minister said while chairing a high-level meeting in Quetta on Thursday. He added that the elimination of terrorism was necessary for country’s development.
The prime minister said he was ready to provide maximum possible resources to the armed forces to eliminate the menace of terrorism from the country.
PM Sharif also appreciated security forces for saving lives of passengers after the ghastly attack on Jaffar Express in Balochistan.
