Iran Assists With Water Projects In Afghanistan, Says Taliban

In a statement, the Taliban rejected allegations made by the Pakistani Army spokesperson, calling them "baseless".

On Thursday, March 13, the Taliban responded to the attack on the Jaffar Express, where dozens of passengers were taken hostage. The group stated, "We categorically reject the baseless claim made by the Pakistani Army spokesperson" regarding the Taliban's connection to the attack on the passenger train in Balochistan.

The Taliban urged Pakistan to focus on its internal security issues rather than making "irresponsible" accusations. It also stressed that no members of the Baloch separatist militia were present in Afghanistan and denied any ties with the group. The statement expressed regret over the loss of innocent lives, saying, "Sacrificing civilians for political goals is unjustifiable."

Earlier, Pakistan’s Army spokesperson, Ahmed Sharif Choudhry, claimed that the attack was planned by Baloch separatists operating from Afghanistan. He alleged that the attackers used satellite phones to communicate with their commanders during the incident.

The attack took place on Tuesday, when Baloch separatist militants targeted the Jaffar Express, a passenger train carrying over 400 people. The militants detonated explosives to stop the train, which was travelling through a mountainous region near the Afghanistan-Iran border. They then took hostages.

On Wednesday, March 12, the Pakistan Army reported that security forces had eliminated the suicide bombers and killed 33 Baloch militants during a special forces operation. The Army claimed no hostages were harmed, but confirmed that 21 passengers had already been killed before the operation began.

Earlier reports by Afghanistan International, citing Pakistani security agencies, indicated that intercepted communications suggested links between the attackers and networks in Afghanistan, India, and Europe.

The attack on the railway and hostage-taking in Balochistan has been met with international condemnation. Many countries have condemned the targeting of civilians. The Baloch Liberation Army, one of several armed separatist groups in Balochistan, has been engaged in a long-running insurgency against the Pakistani government in the mineral-rich region bordering Afghanistan and Iran.

Haalvsh released a video confirming the incident took place on Wednesday, March 12. The video showed that Iranian forces pursued a vehicle carrying Afghan migrants near the village of Shamsabad in Bampur district.

The organisation has not provided further details about the identities of those involved. Local sources said the deceased person died before an ambulance arrived. The three other migrants were transferred to a hospital for treatment.

In the video shared by Haalvsh, a person is seen lying in the trunk of a vehicle with blood flowing from them. The footage suggests the victim was around 20 years old.

One day after the incident, Iranian authorities and the Taliban have not issued any official response.

The EU delegation announced that it has trained 581 women in mental health and 41 others in infectious disease prevention. It also highlighted that strengthening Afghanistan’s healthcare system is crucial for responding to disease outbreaks effectively.

On Thursday, March 13, the EU Delegation to Afghanistan stated that it supports efforts to enhance diagnostic and treatment services for infectious diseases across the country. The office also reported that, through the World Health Organization (WHO), it has provided healthcare services to over 95,000 Afghan women. Among them, 7,700 women have received inpatient care and medical treatment.

Earlier, the EU condemned the Taliban’s systematic repression of women and girls during a UNHCR Standing Committee session. It called for the full and equal realisation of human rights and urged greater empowerment, participation, and leadership of women in society.

On March 2, the EU Delegation to Afghanistan reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Afghan people. The office stated that Europe remains dedicated to assisting Afghanistan in education, healthcare, private sector development, and economic empowerment.

The NRF accused the Taliban of harbouring terrorist groups, holding them responsible for growing instability in the region.

The Pakistan Army has officially stated that the masterminds behind the attack operated from Afghanistan.

Ali Maisam Nazary, head of foreign relations for the NRF, reacted to the incident on X. He stated that the NRF strongly condemned the attack and extended condolences to the Pakistani people and the families of the victims.

Nazary claimed that terrorist activities in the region had intensified since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021. He accused the group of sheltering over 21 terrorist organisations, which he said had fuelled instability across multiple countries. He stressed that the only way to end the crisis was to support the Afghan people’s struggle for liberation and the establishment of a democratic government in Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Army maintained that the attack was planned from Afghan soil.

Following the completion of the hostage rescue operation, Pakistani military issued a statement confirming that intelligence reports had traced the attack to terrorist leaders based in Afghanistan. It stated that the hostage-takers had remained in direct contact with their mastermind in Afghanistan throughout the incident.

The Pakistan Army reiterated its demand for the Taliban to prevent Afghan territory from being used against Pakistan. The army’s spokesperson warned that the attack had “changed the rules of the game”, signalling a shift in Pakistan’s approach to regional security threats.

On Wednesday, army spokesperson Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry announced that the hostage rescue operation had been completed, with all Baloch separatist militants killed.

Chaudhry stated that the attack was planned and directed by Baloch separatists based in Afghanistan. He revealed that the militants used satellite phones to communicate with their handlers in Afghanistan. He warned that this attack had "changed the rules of the game" and vowed to bring those responsible to justice.

The attack occurred on Tuesday when Baloch separatists bombed a railway track, stopping the Jaffar Express with over 400 passengers on board. The train was halted in a remote mountainous area near the Afghanistan-Iran border. Militants took hostages, including women and children, using them as human shields. Suicide bombers were reportedly placed among the hostages, complicating the rescue mission.

The Pakistan Army launched a special forces operation, using snipers to eliminate the suicide bombers. According to Chaudhry, 33 militants were killed, and no hostages were harmed during the operation. However, 21 passengers were killed by the militants before the operation began.

Chaudhry detailed the attack, saying that on March 11, militants blew up a railroad track in Bolan at 1 p.m., stopping the Jaffar Express. He confirmed that all militants at the scene were eliminated, but security forces were still clearing explosives.

The attack has triggered strong political reactions in Pakistan, with several countries condemning the incident.

Despite the army’s claims of success, the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed it had executed 50 more hostages in retaliation. The group accused Pakistan of ignoring their warnings and refusing to exchange hostages for imprisoned members.

Baloch separatists alleged that Pakistan used heavy artillery and advanced weapons in the operation, leading to intense clashes. They claimed their fighters repelled the attack and forced Pakistani forces to retreat. The BLA also confirmed that three of its fighters had been killed.