Baloch separatist group Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has threatened to execute Pakistani hostages after Pakistan’s military conducted drone strikes and artillery shelling in response to a deadly train attack in Bolan, Balochistan. The attack targeted the Jaffar Express, carrying around 500 people, including more than 200 security personnel.
The hostage crisis began on Tuesday afternoon when BLA militants hijacked the Jaffar Express near Machh in Bolan district. The BLA took more than 200 Pakistani military, paramilitary, police, and intelligence personnel hostage, demanding the release of detained Baloch political prisoners and resistance fighters.
At least 27 separatists have reportedly been killed, and 155 passengers, including 15 children, have been rescued. The BLA, however, denied these reports, claiming none of their fighters were harmed and accusing Pakistan of “military aggression.”
BLA spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch warned that 10 hostages would be executed if Pakistan’s forces launched another attack. He stated that Pakistan’s military was “incapable of making serious decisions regarding a prisoner exchange” and driven by “war madness.”
Military Operation And Political Response
Pakistani forces have launched a large-scale rescue operation in the Dhadar area, focusing on the Mushkaf Tunnel. The operation remains ongoing, with authorities withholding key details for security reasons.
President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the attack, calling it “inhumane,” while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the security forces’ swift action. He vowed that the operation would end with the defeat of the terrorists.
What Is BLA?
The Baloch Liberation Army seeks independence for Balochistan from Pakistan. It has carried out several high-profile attacks, particularly targeting Chinese interests tied to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The BLA’s Majeed Brigade has led major attacks, including the Karachi Stock Exchange (2020) and Karachi University’s Confucius Institute (2022). Pakistan declared the BLA a terrorist group in July 2024.
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