Increased Railway Security After Jaffer Express Hijacking Incident

Pakistan:In the wake of the Jaffer Express hijacking incident, where passengers were taken hostage by terrorists, the Railway Police has announced an increase in the security measures for trains.

According to railway sources, each train departing from Lahore is now escorted by 4 to 5 railway police officers who routinely check every coach of the train to ensure safety. These officers conduct periodic checks while the train is en route to monitor the situation. Typically, trains traveling from Lahore to cities in Sindh or Punjab are accompanied by a similar number of security personnel.

**Jaffer Express Had 750 Booked Passengers**
Sources revealed that the Jaffer Express, which was traveling from Quetta to Peshawar, had 750 passengers booked at the time of the attack. At the moment of the assault, approximately 450 passengers were aboard, while the remaining 350 were scheduled to board the train in Sibi. However, before the passengers could embark, the terrorists launched their attack and took the passengers hostage.

**Enhanced Security Measures Along the Route**
Railway sources further explained that when trains travel from Lahore to Balochistan, each passenger is thoroughly checked along with their baggage. For these routes, 4 to 5 railway police officers are present in each train. Upon reaching Jacobabad, a complete inspection of the train is conducted. As the train reaches Sibi, 1 to 2 teams of Frontier Corps (FC) are assigned to patrol the train. Each team consists of approximately 8 FC personnel, ensuring that security measures are strictly adhered to.

At Bolan, a checkpoint is established where additional checks are carried out. Railway authorities continue to provide full security measures, as they are committed to ensuring the safety of passengers traveling through high-risk areas.

According to the sources, the Jaffer Express, which was hijacked, had reservations for 235 passengers in the economy class, 41 in AC Lower, 24 in AC Business, and 6 in AC Sleeper.