Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif, the head of Pakistan’s military relations, has accused India of being the primary sponsor of terrorism in Balochistan, following the recent attack on the Jaffer Express. He claimed that Indian media outlets circulated misleading AI-generated videos and broadcast content that misrepresented the terrorists’ actions to support their narrative. DG ISPR Slams Indian
Sharif’s remarks were made during a joint press conference on Friday afternoon in Islamabad, alongside Balochistan Chief Minister Sardar Abdul Rehman Baloch. The two provided details about the March 11 attack on the Jaffer Express, carried out by separatist militants from the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA).
The train, traveling from Quetta to Peshawar, was targeted in the Dhadar region of the Bolan Pass, where over 400 passengers were taken hostage. Security forces launched a successful rescue operation, neutralizing all assailants and freeing the hostages.
According to Sharif, the attack began at around 1 PM when an improvised explosive device (IED) halted the train in a mountainous area. Prior to the train attack, militants had assaulted a Frontier Corps (FC) checkpost, killing three soldiers.
“The BLA militants were strategically positioned in multiple groups, including on the surrounding hills,” Sharif said. “They separated women and children inside the train while moving the remaining hostages to various locations outside.”
Sharif revealed that on the evening of March 11, a group of hostages was released based on ethnicity, a move he said was intended to deepen divisions.
Describing the rescue operation, Sharif said security forces surrounded the area on March 12, engaging the militants in a firefight. Some hostages escaped during the clash. He praised the operation, noting that no hostages were killed despite the challenging terrain and the presence of suicide bombers.
“This was one of the most successful hostage rescue operations globally, given the circumstances,” Sharif stated. “Our forces demonstrated precision and minimized casualties.”
Sharif tied the attack to broader regional instability, pointing to Afghanistan as a hub for terrorist support. He alleged that many assailants were Afghan-trained militants, with the masterminds operating near Pakistan’s northern border.
He further claimed that terrorist activities in the region have escalated since the withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan, leaving behind equipment like night-vision devices now used by militants. Sharif also highlighted the role of narcotics and smuggling, facilitated by Afghanistan, in fueling unrest.
Accusing India of orchestrating the violence in Balochistan, Sharif called the Jaffer Express attack a reflection of India’s “terrorist mentality.” “The main sponsor of terrorism in Balochistan and past incidents is our eastern neighbor,” he asserted.
Sharif also criticized Indian media for spearheading a disinformation campaign in support of the BLA. “As soon as the attack occurred, Indian outlets began glorifying the terrorists,” he said, alleging they used AI-generated footage and recycled social media videos to mislead the public.
The press conference included slides and footage to substantiate these claims, with Sharif citing the confession of Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav, captured in Balochistan, as evidence of India’s role in destabilizing the region.
Balochistan Chief Minister Sardar Abdul Rehman Baloch thanked the international community for condemning the attack and denounced the BLA as terrorists with no ties to the Baloch people. “This is not about Baloch rights; it’s about terrorism,” he said, adding that the BLA’s actions were supported by India’s intelligence agency, RAW.
No Doubt Attack Linked to Afghanistan: Foreign Office
On Thursday, Pakistan’s Foreign Office stated there was “no doubt” the attack was orchestrated from Afghan soil. Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan told the media that terrorists maintained direct communication with Afghanistan-based planners during the incident.
“The latest attack on the Jaffer Express near Sibi was directed by terrorist leaders operating from abroad,” Khan said, reiterating Pakistan’s calls for the Afghan interim government to prevent its territory from being used by groups like the BLA. The army had earlier confirmed the Afghan connection to the train hijacking.
