Pakistan’s Foreign Office has stated that the attackers responsible for the Jaffar Express terrorist incident were in direct communication with their leaders based in Afghanistan. During the weekly press briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan confirmed that intercepted communications revealed the terrorists were in contact with their handlers in Afghanistan, further implicating the country in cross-border terrorism.
Khan added, “India has been involved in terrorism in Pakistan,” referring to the broader regional context of cross-border terrorism. He specifically highlighted that the Jaffar Express attack, in which more than 400 passengers were taken hostage, had been orchestrated with the support of individuals operating from Afghan territory.
The attack on the Jaffar Express, carried out by 33 members of the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), resulted in a tragic loss of life. While Pakistan’s military successfully neutralized all 33 terrorists and freed the hostages, the terrorists managed to martyr 21 passengers before the operation began. Additionally, four Frontier Corps (FC) personnel were killed during the operation to free the hostages in the Mushqaf area of the Bolan district.
Khan further revealed that calls intercepted by Pakistani intelligence confirmed the attackers’ links to Afghanistan, where they were reportedly operating from safe havens. Pakistan has long called on the Afghan interim government to prevent groups like the BLA from using Afghan soil to plan and execute terrorist attacks on Pakistan’s territory.
Although Pakistan does not publicly disclose diplomatic communications, Khan emphasized that detailed evidence regarding such incidents has consistently been shared with Afghanistan through private channels. He also reiterated that Pakistan’s primary objective remains strengthening its friendly relationship with Afghanistan while emphasizing counterterrorism cooperation as a key area of joint interest.
The Jaffar Express attack has drawn sharp responses from Pakistan’s military, with Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry vowing that those behind the attack will be pursued and brought to justice. In a statement, Chaudhry stressed that the attack, and those responsible for it, were disconnected from Islam, Pakistan, and Balochistan, underscoring the terrorist nature of the act.
The ISPR’s statement further confirmed that intelligence reports had unequivocally traced the attack’s direction and orchestration to terrorist ring leaders operating out of Afghanistan. These leaders were said to have been in continuous communication with the attackers throughout the incident, reinforcing concerns about the ongoing support and sanctuary that such groups enjoy across the border.
This incident adds to the mounting evidence of cross-border terrorism emanating from Afghanistan, with Pakistan repeatedly urging the Afghan authorities to take stronger actions against such groups. The situation has led to increased tensions between the two countries, highlighting the challenges of combating terrorism in a region where militant groups often find refuge.
As Pakistan continues to deal with these security threats, the government remains focused on improving bilateral ties with Afghanistan while also taking necessary steps to safeguard its sovereignty and security from external terrorism.
