Pakistan sends 200 coffins to hijack site, over 100 hostages still in BLA's custody

A large-scale tragedy is feared following the hijacking of Jaffer Express in Balochistan, as the Pakistan government has reportedly sent over 200 coffins to the provincial capital, Quetta. This development has sparked concerns about the potential high death toll in the ongoing crisis.

Officials from Pakistan Railways confirmed that the coffins were transported as a precautionary measure under standard protocol. However, the move indicates the gravity of the situation, as security forces continue operations to rescue hostages and neutralize militants in the Bolan region. More than 28 hours have passed since the attack, yet a full resolution remains elusive.

Pakistani authorities claim to have rescued 155 passengers so far, while at least 27 militants from the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) have reportedly been killed. Despite these efforts, over 100 passengers remain in captivity, raising fears for their safety as the standoff continues.

The BLA, a separatist militant group, has claimed responsibility for the attack. In its latest statement, the group alleged that it had killed 30 Pakistani soldiers. However, independent sources have not yet confirmed these claims, and no official casualty figures have been released by the military.

The Jaffer Express hijacking is one of the most significant militant attacks in recent times in Pakistan, highlighting the persistent security challenges in Balochistan. The region has long been a hotbed of insurgency, with separatist groups frequently targeting government forces and infrastructure.

As the crisis unfolds, families of the hostages wait in anguish, hoping for a peaceful resolution. Pakistan's military remains engaged in a high-stakes rescue operation, but with the situation still volatile, the fear of a heavy loss of life looms large.