Islamabad: ISPR DG General Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry on Friday provided a detailed briefing on the Jaffer Express hijacking incident, uncovering a deep-rooted connection between India, terrorist groups, and handlers operating from Afghanistan.
Speaking at a press conference alongside Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director exposed India’s mainstream media for airing AI-generated, fake, and old video clips provided by a globally recognized terrorist organization. These videos, he said, aimed to glorify the hijacking and propagate an anti-Pakistan narrative.
The ISPR DG explained the difficult geographical landscape where the incident occurred, near Sibi, highlighting the rugged, mountainous terrain with no mobile coverage. Despite these challenges, security forces, including the Frontier Corps (FC) and the Pakistan Army, promptly responded to the terrorist attack after the hijackers detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) on a railway track and martyred three FC soldiers on March 11.
The terrorists were divided into multiple groups, some holding hostages inside the train while others secured high vantage points. As the situation developed, an Indian-led disinformation campaign attempted to manipulate global perception, misrepresenting Pakistan’s security efforts.
On March 12, FC and Army snipers successfully engaged the terrorists, allowing some hostages to escape. By midday, the elite Special Services Group’s (SSG) Zaraar Company took charge, executing a precise and calculated operation to eliminate the terrorists and rescue the hostages without casualties.
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“This was a highly complex operation, meticulously executed within 36 hours,” the ISPR DG stated, commending the collective efforts of the Pakistan Army, Air Force, FC, and SSG in ensuring the safe release of hostages.
Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif revealed credible intelligence linking the attack to networks operating from Afghanistan. Among the key figures involved was a former Afghan Army officer now engaged in terrorist activities against Pakistan.
“The entire chain of events points to external involvement, specifically from elements based in Afghanistan,” he stated, underscoring Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to countering terrorism and safeguarding national security.
Highlighting Pakistan’s counter-terrorism measures, he noted that security forces had conducted 59,775 intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in 2024 and 11,654 in 2025 so far, averaging 180 IBOs per day. He reported that 1,250 terrorists had been neutralized in the past two years, while 563 security personnel had embraced martyrdom in the line of duty.
Despite these efforts, the ISPR DG warned of the persistent threat from Afghanistan-based terror groups, which continue to operate training centers and recruitment networks targeting Pakistan. He pointed to the influx of advanced military equipment into terrorist hands following the withdrawal of international forces from Afghanistan, enhancing their operational capabilities.
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Pakistan is taking firm steps against illegal activities that contribute to regional instability, including smuggling, narcotics trafficking, and the illicit trade of non-custom paid vehicles and Iranian petroleum products. He asserted that the state remains committed to dismantling these mafias, whose vested interests have long undermined national stability.
Addressing the issue of missing persons, the ISPR DG highlighted the ongoing efforts of the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances, established in 2011. He reported that out of 10,405 registered cases, 8,144 had been resolved, with 2,261 still under investigation.
He also raised critical questions about those involved in the Bolan incident and called for greater public awareness regarding the identities of individuals associated with terrorist activities in Afghanistan.
Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif urged all stakeholders, including political parties and the public, to ensure the full implementation of Pakistan’s revised National Action Plan (NAP), emphasizing that sustainable peace hinges on national consensus.
“Every moment, security forces are engaged in counter-terrorism efforts, sacrificing their lives to protect Pakistan’s future,” he stated, calling for unity in the fight against terrorism.
The ISPR DG reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolve to counter terrorism with unwavering determination, ensuring the nation’s security and stability against all threats.
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