Synopsis
On April 14, the Bolan Mail train from Karachi to Quetta was halted at Jacobabad due to security threats, leaving passengers stranded without basic amenities after being denied entry into Balochistan.Key Takeaways
- The Bolan Mail was stopped due to security threats.
- Passengers were offloaded at Jacobabad.
- Many were subsequently transported to Sibbi.
- Pakistan Railway refunded part of the fare.
- Stranded passengers faced harsh conditions at the station.
Islamabad, April 14 (NationPress) A passenger train traveling from Pakistan's key economic city Karachi to Balochistan's capital Quetta was halted at Jacobabad and denied entry into Balochistan due to security concerns stemming from threats of a potential attack and hijacking.
The Bolan Mail train, which was transporting approximately 150 passengers, was stopped in the city of Jacobabad, Sindh province, where passengers were offloaded and entry into Balochistan was refused during the early hours of Monday.
According to reports, the train departed from Karachi and arrived in Jacobabad just after midnight. It was halted at the railway station, where officials from Pakistan Railway indicated that further travel would not proceed until security clearance was obtained. The train carried numerous government officials, security personnel, and their families.
Security sources revealed that intelligence agencies had issued a threat alert concerning a possible hijacking attempt and attack on the train, reminiscent of the hijacking of the Jaffar Express on March 11. This led to the decision to prevent the train from entering Balochistan and to offload passengers in Jacobabad.
Most of the passengers were then transported to Sibbi, from which they utilized local transport to return to Karachi.
Authorities from Pakistan Railway charged passengers for the trip from Karachi to Jacobabad and refunded the additional fare that was levied for the journey to Quetta.
The abrupt decision to offload passengers at Jacobabad left many stranded at the railway station, lacking access to water or electricity. Reports indicated that some children fainted due to the intense heat and absence of water at the station.
"The prolonged stoppage of the Quetta-bound Bolan Mail was prompted by security measures as train operations were suspended in Balochistan during the night. The train was carrying about 150 passengers," explained Amir Ali Baloch, CEO of Pakistan Railway.
He added, "The train's onward journey was halted, and arrangements were made for passengers to travel to Quetta and other locations via buses under strict security protocols."
Train services to Balochistan have been suspended since March 11 when militants from the banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) attacked and hijacked the Jaffar Express at the Bolan pass in Balochistan, taking around 400 passengers hostage. This incident resulted in a 48-hour standoff between the militants and security forces, leading to the rescue of 346 passengers, while 21 lost their lives, and 33 BLA militants were killed during the counteroffensive operation.
