A train driver who survived a terrifying 36-hour siege has opened up about the traumatic experience. The incident, which took place several years ago, left the entire crew and passengers in a state of fear and uncertainty as armed terrorists hijacked a train and held it hostage for an agonizing day and a half. The driver, who wishes to remain anonymous for safety reasons, recounted the nerve-wracking ordeal that still haunts him to this day.
The attack occurred when a passenger train, traveling from Karachi to Lahore, was intercepted by a group of heavily armed militants. The terrorists, who had planned the operation meticulously, took control of the train, holding the driver and the passengers hostage in a terrifying standoff. The train, now under the militants’ control, was taken to a remote area in the Punjab province, where the siege continued for a grueling 36 hours. During this time, the passengers were subjected to intense fear, while the crew was forced to comply with the terrorists’ demands.
“I remember everything in vivid detail. We were suddenly surrounded by gunmen, and they made it clear that they had no intention of letting us go easily,” the driver said, recalling the moment the train was hijacked. “At first, we thought it was a robbery or some sort of misunderstanding, but it quickly became clear that this was much worse.”
For the crew members, who were responsible for the operation of the train, the situation was increasingly dire. The hijackers, heavily armed and aggressive, took control of the train’s communication systems, cutting off any means of alerting authorities. The driver, who was initially ordered to stop the train at a remote station, said that he had no choice but to comply with the terrorists’ instructions, as any attempt to resist would have risked the lives of the passengers.
The 36-hour ordeal was marked by constant fear and uncertainty. The hostages had no way of knowing whether the government would launch a rescue mission or if they would be released. The terrorists, however, made it clear that they intended to use the train as leverage for their demands, which included the release of several of their comrades imprisoned by Pakistani authorities.
In the midst of the terror, the driver and the other crew members attempted to stay calm, trying to keep the passengers as composed as possible. “We tried to reassure everyone that we would get through this, but inside, we were all in a state of shock,” the driver explained. “I remember thinking, ‘Are we going to die here? Will I ever see my family again?’ It was an unimaginable situation.”
Throughout the ordeal, the authorities were scrambling to resolve the situation, but the isolation of the location and the sudden nature of the hijacking complicated their efforts. With no direct communication and the train’s movements under the control of the militants, it was difficult for law enforcement to formulate a clear strategy to end the siege.
As the hours dragged on, the emotional toll on the hostages and the crew was immense. The passengers were terrified, unsure of their fate, while the driver felt the immense responsibility of being unable to control the situation. “We were all in a state of fear, and the terrorists made us feel that we were dead already,” the driver said, reflecting on the mental and emotional strain of the situation. “At one point, I honestly thought that we would not survive.”
Finally, after 36 long hours, a combination of diplomatic efforts, military action, and negotiations led to the release of the hostages. The authorities were able to secure a deal with the terrorists, and the passengers and crew were freed. However, the psychological scars of the siege remained long after the physical release.
Looking back on the traumatic experience, the driver acknowledged that while the physical danger had passed, the mental trauma still lingered. “The most terrifying part was not knowing if I would make it out alive, and not knowing if anyone would come to our rescue,” he shared. “But once we were released, the hardest part was coming to terms with what had happened, and how close we came to losing everything.”
Today, the driver continues to work in the railway industry, though he admits that the memory of the siege still haunts him. He describes the incident as a reminder of the unpredictability of life and the constant threat of violence that continues to affect regions caught in the turmoil of terrorism and insurgency. While he is grateful for his survival, the experience has left him with deep emotional scars that time has not been able to erase.
In the years since the siege, Pakistan has seen numerous other instances of terrorist activity, underscoring the ongoing challenges the country faces in dealing with militant groups and their tactics. The story of the hijacked train serves as a poignant reminder of the personal toll these incidents take on individuals caught in the crossfire, and the resilience required to survive such terrifying circumstances.