Islamabad, March 12 -- 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...