On Thursday, the Foreign Ministry said that Pakistan had the call of the Jaffar Express hijacking incident from Afghanistan but confirmed that it was India who was trying to “destabilize its neighbors”.
The hijack happened on Tuesday afternoon when the train, traveling from Quetta to Peshawar and carrying 440 passengers, was ambushed by Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) terrorists. They opened fire on the train and took the passengers hostage, indicating security forces to launch a two -day operation.
On Wednesday evening, Director General of the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) LT General LT General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry confirmed that the operation had ended, there are 33 terrorists at the site of the attack. The head of the ISPR also confirmed that 21 passengers and four Frontier Corps personnel were washed away in the hijacking, but no hostage was harmed during the final phase of rescue.
During a weekly press briefing today, Foreign Office spokesman Shafqat Ali Khan was questioned whether Pakistan had been transferred from India to Afghanistan after being involved in terrorist attacks on Pakistan.
In response, he said, “There is no change in our policy. And once again, the facts have not changed. India is involved in the sponsorship of terrorism against Pakistan. What I was referring to was, in this particular event, we have proof of the detection of calls from Afghanistan.
Khan added that Pakistan was a victim of terrorism, which was planned, orchests and supporters who were working outside the country’s borders.
He said, “In our region, unfortunately, we have many forces against peace who do not want Pakistan to gain the profitability of Pakistan’s unprecedented and sincere efforts in the construction of a peaceful region.” “
The spokesman added that the terrorist attack against Jafar Express was “and” terrorist -colored leaders operating abroad were also set up and directed. “
The spokesman said, “Our security forces successfully rescued the hostages and successfully eliminated all 33 terrorists, including suicide bombers.”
“Terrorists were in direct contact with Afghanistan -based planners throughout the incident,” he said.
Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have repeatedly faced tensions due to border conflicts and Islamabad that it has been repeatedly demanded that the Kabul be banned to use Afghan soil to attack Pakistan to take action against the Tahrik-Datan Pakistan (TTP). Kabul denied the allegations.
He added, “Pakistan has repeatedly asked the interim Afghan government to refuse to use its territory for terrorist groups like BLA for attacks against Pakistan.”
The spokesperson called on Afghanistan to hold criminals, administrators and financiers of this “condemnable act responsible and the condemnation of the terrorist act” to bring all the people related to the attack, including the real sponsors of terrorism.
“We know how India is trying to destabilize its neighbors,” he said, adding that India is running a global assassination campaign.
Khan said Pakistan’s basic approach to Afghanistan was focused on promoting friendly, cooperative relations, which was a key purpose.
“We have long -standing relations with Afghanistan, and there are layers of fulfillment between the two countries, such as language, history, cultural commitment and religion, but terrorism has become the main obstacle, which is preventing further relations.”
He said that relations between the two countries were dynamic and the state continues to adjust it, adding that the details of the FO will be briefed in the coming days.
“Regarding talks with Afghanistan, we have no high level interaction, but embassies from both countries are working, and diplomatic channels are active,” he said.
He said terrorist elements like TTP and other terrorist organizations enjoy shelters in Afghanistan.
“This is a stumbling block, which is a serious problem on the path to promoting a deep friendly relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan,” he said.
“We are putting pressure on the Afghan authorities to tackle and deal with this problem, and we will continue to pressure them to take necessary steps in this regard,” he added.
Under his pressure yesterday, DGISPRLT Gen. Chaudhry also doubled the use of Afghan soil in the attack, saying: “Intelligence reports have unclearly confirmed that the attack was arranged by terrorist leaders working from Afghanistan, which was directed by the Afghan government, and that Pakistan was in full swing. Will refuse to use its territory for terrorist activities.
Pakistan has recently witnessed an increase in terrorist activities, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. According to a report published by the Islamabad -based think tank, Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICS), terrorist attacks increased significantly in February, but civilian casualties increased sharply.
According to the pictures, the country witnessed the attacks of 79 terrorists last month, killing 55 civilians and 47 security personnel, while 45 civilians and 81 security personnel were injured. In the meantime, security forces intensified anti -terrorist operations, eliminating 156 terrorists, injuring 20, and arresting 66.
