The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist militant group in Pakistan’s Balochistan, has claimed responsibility for killing 214 Pakistani soldiers after hijacking a train.
On March 11, militants hijacked the “Jaffar Express” in a mountainous area of Bolan district, Balochistan. Following the hijacking, the Pakistani military and air force launched a two-day operation, during which they claimed to have killed 33 militants and rescued nearly 300 people.
However, in a statement issued on March 15, BLA spokesperson Jiand Baloch claimed that they had taken 214 Pakistani soldiers hostage from the train and had given the military a 48-hour ultimatum for negotiations. He alleged that due to the military’s refusal to negotiate, all 214 hostages were executed.
“The Baloch Liberation Army had offered a chance for a prisoner exchange, giving Pakistan 48 hours to negotiate. But the occupying forces displayed arrogance, ignored serious talks, and turned a blind eye to reality. As a result, 214 hostages have been executed,” Jiand Baloch stated.
The BLA claims to operate under international law and accused the Pakistani military of negligence in failing to protect its soldiers.
For over five decades, the Baloch Liberation Army has been fighting for an independent state, frequently targeting Pakistani security forces and foreign nationals. However, the March 11 train hijacking marks a rare attack involving civilians.
Conflicting Reports from the Pakistani Military
Pakistan’s military spokesperson, Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, dismissed the BLA’s claims, stating that security forces had successfully rescued 354 hostages from the train and killed 33 militants. He denied any evidence that militants had taken additional hostages.
Chaudhry also reported that apart from the militants, 31 others were killed, including 23 Pakistani soldiers, three railway staff, and five civilian passengers. He accused Afghanistan and India of providing shelter to the BLA, a claim both countries have denied.
The Jaffar Express is frequently used by military personnel traveling to and from Balochistan, making it a repeated target for Baloch separatist attacks.