The leadership of the country, including President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, on Tuesday strongly condemned the terrorist attack on the Jaffar Express in Balochistan and appreciated the security forces for their effective and timely response.
The president lauded the valour of security forces for rescuing the passengers of Jaffar Express and said that attacks on innocent civilians and passengers were inhuman and condemnable acts. The president said neither any religion nor a society allowed such repugnant acts.
The Baloch nation strongly opposed those elements who had taken unarmed passengers, elders and children as hostage, he said, according to a press release from the President Secretariat Press Wing. The president prayed for the early recovery of those who sustained injuries during the attack.
Prime Minister Shehbaz, according to a separate press release issued from the Prime Minister's Office Media Wing, said that security forces officers and personnel were eliminating terrorists bravely during the ongoing response.
"Despite a difficult terrain, the morale of the security forces is high and they are pushing back the coward terrorists with their timely action," Shehbaz said. He expressed the hope that the security operation would soon meet with success and the terrorists would be eliminated.
Shehbaz said that inhuman terrorists, who launched the cowardly assault on Jaffar Express at Dhadhar-Bolan Pass did not deserve any concession. "Terrorists are the enemies of progress and development of Balochistan province," he said.
"Targeting of innocent passengers in the holy and blessed month of Ramazanul Mubarak proves it clearly that terrorists have no relation with Islam, Pakistan and Balochistan," he added. He vowed the fight against terrorism would continue till complete eradication of this spectre from the country.
Any conspiracy to spread chaos and lawlessness in the country would be foiled, he continued, stressing that the government would never allow enemies of the nation to succeed in their nefarious designs. "In this fight against terrorism, the entire nation stands shoulder to shoulder with the security forces."
Earlier, addressing that federal cabinet meeting, Shehbaz dilated on a resurgence of terrorism in the country and acknowledged that the law-enforcement agencies (LEAs) alongside the armed forces were rendering great sacrifices on a daily basis that needed to be remembered.
"Without complete peace, the dream of development and prosperity is elusive. The valiant personnel of police, armed forces and Rangers are rendering ultimate sacrifices and the nation will have to remember it," the prime minister said.
Meanwhile, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi condemned the incident, saying: "The beasts who fire on innocent passengers do not deserve any concessions". Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar also strongly condemned the incident.
"The heinous plans of anti-national and anti-social elements will never be allowed to be allowed," he said in a statement. "The Sindh government stands with the Balochistan government. He hoped police and other LEAs will bring this situation under control.
Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gilani and National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said in their separate statements that those targeting innocent civilians were not just enemies of the nation but of humanity itself.
They strongly condemned the cowardly attempt to undermine the country's peace and stability and stressed that such anti-state elements would be dealt with firmly and decisively. They said that the evil designs of the enemies would by foiled.
"Attack on passengers in Dhadar is a crime against humanity and those responsible should be severely punished." Gilani said. "Terrorists cannot shake the national resolve with such cowardly acts. The nation is united and the evil intentions of the enemies will be crushed," he added.
He reaffirmed his full support for the security forces, and called for effective measures to eliminate elements seeking to destabilise the country. "The nation stands in solidarity with the families of the passengers during this difficult time," he added.
Former Senate chairman Sadiq Sanjrani also strongly condemned the Jaffer Express attack, saying that targeting unarmed passengers during the holy month was a cowardly act. "The government and the security forces are working for the safe return of the hostages," Sanjrani said.
Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti confirmed that pressure on militants was being maintained. "All-out efforts are being made to ensure the unharmed recovery of every passenger. Security forces are working tirelessly to bring the situation under control," he said in a statement.
(WITH INPUTS FROM APP)
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