Lahore: The recent hijacking of a train in Balochistan, Pakistan, has garnered global attention due to a significant claim made by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA). The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) asserts that they have killed all 214 Pakistani troops captured alive after the operation. The Pakistani military had earlier put the death toll at 31, including 18 soldiers, three railway staff, and five civilians.
Prior to the killing, the BLA had given the Pakistani government a 48-hour ultimatum for a prisoner exchange. Despite the latter’s assertion, the BLA claimed that the government did not negotiate with them and that the military and government were arrogant and neglectful. According to the BLA, the hostages died after the authorities did not respond to its offer of dialogue.
The BLA asserted that the confrontation claimed the lives of 12 of its fighters, referring to them as martyrs. The group further said five fidayeen from Mazid Brigade achieved martyrdom by undertaking this encroachment, countering the enemy, and their selflessness would be recorded in history.
For decades the BLA has been fighting an insurgency against the Pakistani state, accusing authorities of plundering Balochistan’s riches while kidnapping its inhabitants. Pakistan has consistently accused both India and Afghanistan of aiding the BLA.