Baloch Rebels Claim Killing of 214 Army Hostages, Blame Pakistan’s ‘Stubbornness’

Baloch Liberation Army Announces Slaying of 214 Military Hostages after Pakistan Misses Deadline

Baloch rebels who hijacked a Pakistani passenger train asserted that they had executed all 214 military hostages when their 48-hour time frame for a bargain to exchange them with Baloch political prisoners expired on Friday. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), which discounted the claim of the Pakistani army that the siege had concluded, stated the government’s “stubbornness” in refusing to respond to its threat compelled them.

The militants on Wednesday issued the government a 48-hour deadline to release Baloch political prisoners and activists that they accused had been abducted by the Pakistani army in exchange for the captives.

BLA Accuses Pakistan of Ignoring Ultimatum

“Nevertheless, Pakistan, in its characteristic obstinacy and military hubris, not only shunned serious talks but also remained blind to the realities on the ground. Due to this obstinacy, all 214 hostages have been killed,” the BLA stated in a release.

Baloch Liberation Army, which is a separatist organization calling for Balochistan’s independence from Pakistan, hijacked the Peshawar-bound Jaffar Express on Tuesday after it exploded the railway track. The train had more than 400 passengers on board, most of them security officials.

Pakistani Army’s Counterclaim

The Pakistani military, which began an operation to rescue the hostages, reported the siege finished on Wednesday following a 30-hour operation where all 33 insurgents were slain. The Army said 23 troops, three railway staff members, and five passengers were killed in the assault.

But the Baloch rebels rebutted the claim by Pakistan that fighting was subsiding and security forces were overpowering them. In its last press release, the BLA accused its 12 personnel as having been killed in the operation, code-named Darra-e-Bolan.

BLA Provides Details of Attack Tactic

“The Fidayeen confined some hostage security personnel into special bogies and occupied positions while other freedom fighters were able to take the remaining hostages to a secure place. When Pakistani commandos came, the Fidayeen encircled and attacked them with full force. The commandos had heavy casualties while the hostages were also killed,” the BLA statement added.

The assault is one of the bloodiest in the long-standing Baloch insurgency, during which separatist insurgents have attacked Pakistani military and government troops as they fight for independence.