Firing Incident on Pilot Engine Near Duzan, No Attack on Jaffer Express: Railways Spokesperson

Quetta: A firing attempt was made on a pilot engine near Duzan on Monday morning, which was part of a routine safety check before the departure of the Jaffer Express passenger train from Quetta to Peshawar. According to the Pakistan Railways spokesperson, the incident occurred near Tunnel Number 16, close to the Duzan railway station. However, the spokesperson clarified that the firing was directed at the pilot engine and not the Jaffer Express itself.
Railway sources confirmed that the pilot engine, which is sent ahead of the train to inspect the track for potential hazards or sabotage, was fired upon while checking the track between Quetta and Sibi. The engine was hit by three bullets, according to the spokesperson, while other sources indicated five shots were fired. Despite the attack, the driver and crew of the pilot engine remained unharmed.
Following the incident, the pilot engine was safely escorted to Duzan station, and an investigation into the firing was initiated. Pakistan Railways further stressed that no direct attack had taken place on the Jaffer Express, and the train continued its journey towards its destination safely.
A statement issued from the Railways Headquarters in Lahore clarified that the firing took place around 10 a.m., when three bullets were fired from an unknown direction. The Jaffer Express was immediately halted at a safe location for security clearance and resumed its journey once it was deemed safe.
The statement confirmed that all passengers were safe, and the pilot engine was also returned without any injuries. The spokesperson urged the public to ignore rumors, emphasizing that the safety of passengers is the Railways’ top priority, and continuous measures are being taken to ensure it.
Meanwhile, the Indian-sponsored terrorist group, the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), also known as Fitnat al-Hindustan, has claimed responsibility for the attack.
It is worth noting that Jaffer Express has been previously targeted by terrorist attacks. On March 11, 2025, the train, which was carrying over 400 passengers, was attacked, resulting in 26 fatalities, including military and civilian personnel. In a later incident in June 2025, the train was again attacked in Jacobabad, Sindh, when a bomb explosion derailed four of its carriages, though fortunately, no passengers were harmed.