“The government will respond to bullets and rockets in kind. No group will be allowed to challenge the writ of the state in any part of the country,” Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique said on Sunday.
He was speaking at a press conference at the Railway Headquarters in Lahore.
Rafique said all possible measures would be taken to protect railway operations and passengers. He said the attack on Jafar Express was a terrorist act to sabotage the peace in the country.
“Railway police have prepared a plan to ensure the security of infrastructure and passengers…sniffer dogs will be used to help police ensure security,” he said.
Rafique said a group of terrorists attacked the locomotive 50 kilometres from Quetta.
“The attack targeted 600 passengers travelling on the train…Railway Police and the FC personnel returned the fire and the terrorists fled,” he said.
The minister said the railway management would pay Rs500,000 each to the families of the two passengers killed.
He said all 32 injured would be given Rs100,000 each.
Rafique said all 10 terrorists were later killed in a shootout with law enforcing agencies.
He said the government resented military operations in the country but it was not left with an option.
He said the armed forces, the people of Pakistan and the politicians were united against terrorism. “If anybody fires a rocket, 10 rockets would be fired at them.”
He said the government was in favour of resolving critical issues through talks.
The offer for talks should not be taken as weakness, he added.
“I salute railway police and the FC for their courage to foil the terrorist attempt and save the lives of passengers,” he said.
Rafique also announced cash awards, promotions and certificates for the security personnel for their courage and dedication.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 18th, 2013.