Security forces thwart Jaffar Express bomb plot in Balochistan

Security forces on Tuesday prevented a major sabotage attempt on the Jaffar Express after discovering an explosive device planted on a railway track in Balochistan’s Naseerabad district.

The bomb was spotted shortly before the passenger train was expected to pass through the area. In response, security forces reached the site quickly, secured the track, and safely defused the device. The train was stopped at the Dera Murad Jamali railway station as a precaution, the station master confirmed. Officials added that around 3.5 kilograms of explosive material had been placed on the track within the limits of Sadar police station. They said the train was only minutes away from reaching the location, and the timely discovery prevented a major tragedy.

Moreover, this incident adds to a growing list of attacks on the Jaffar Express. A day earlier, the Peshawar-bound Jaffar Express narrowly escaped another attack in the Bolan Pass area of Kachhi district. That attempt was the sixth such assault on the train between Quetta and Sibi over the past one and a half months.

Soon after Monday’s incident, armed men opened fire on the train from surrounding mountains near Aab-i-Gum shortly after it crossed Mach station. Security personnel on board, including Railways Police, immediately returned fire, which forced the attackers to retreat. Railway officials confirmed that all bogies remained unharmed and no passengers were injured.

Authorities stressed that continued targeting of the Jaffar Express shows a pattern of organized attempts to disrupt railway operations and endanger passengers. They also noted that security has been tightened along vulnerable tracks, and coordinated efforts are underway to prevent further attacks and ensure safe travel for the public.