From Our Correspondent:
Reports emerged on Monday of a possible gunfire incident targeting the pilot engine of the Jaffar Express in the Kolpur area of Bolan district, raising security concerns in the region.
However, officials have since rejected claims of any attack, stating that the train remained safe and no untoward incident occurred.
According to initial sources from the railway department, armed individuals allegedly opened fire on the pilot engine — a precautionary locomotive that travels ahead of the main passenger train to check for track safety. Fortunately, no injuries or damage were reported.
However, when contacted for an official version, a Pakistan Railways spokesperson firmly denied that any attack took place.
“There was no attack on Jaffar Express or its pilot engine. All operations are running smoothly. No shot was fired, and no threat was confirmed,” the spokesperson stated.
Despite this, locals from the Kolpur region maintained that they heard gunfire and claimed that the train was halted briefly as a precaution. The discrepancy between local accounts and the official stance has sparked debate over the transparency and accuracy of incident reporting in conflict-prone regions.
Background and Significance:
The Jaffar Express is a key passenger train that links Quetta to Lahore, playing a vital role in both freight and civilian mobility through Balochistan. The Bolan Pass, through which the train travels, has historically witnessed attacks on infrastructure and personnel.
The government and railway authorities have repeatedly emphasized that the security of passengers and critical railway routes remains a top priority.
