Islamabad [Pakistan], March 13 (ANI): In his first statement following the Jaffar Express hijack, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday strongly condemned the 'dastardly act' and said the entire nation is saddened by the loss of innocent lives.

The Pak PM said he was briefed on the latest developments by Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti.

'Spoke with Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti who briefed me on the latest developments in the heinous terrorist attack on Jaffar Express. The entire nation is deeply shocked by this dastardly act and saddened by the loss of innocent lives--such cowardly acts will not shake Pakistan's resolve for peace,' PM Sharif said in a post on X.

'I offer my heartfelt condolences to the families of the martyrs. May Allah grant them the highest ranks in Jannah and bless those injured with a swift recovery. Dozens of the terrorists have been sent to hell,' he added.

The situation in the Jaffar Express hijack has taken a dire turn, with authorities dispatching over 200 coffins to Quetta railway station, indicating expectations of heavy casualties.

Human rights activist Amjad Ayub Mirza believes the Pakistani army has decided not to negotiate, putting the lives of military personnel at risk.

Mirza said in a statement, 'More than 200 wooden coffins have been brought at the Quetta Railway Station. This means that the Pakistani army has decided not to do negotiations, thus has decided to get its military personnel killed.'

He added that the bodies of 30-40 military personnel had already been brought to Quetta, and an emergency had been declared in nearby hospitals.

A tense standoff is unfolding in Pakistan, where the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has hijacked the Jaffar Express train, holding over 200 hostages, mostly Pakistani security personnel.

The BLA has given Pakistan a 24-hour ultimatum to exchange prisoners, warning that if no progress is made, the hostages will be tried in the Baloch National Court. (ANI)