Baloch insurgents, who had hijacked a Pakistani passenger train earlier this week, have claimed responsibility for killing all 214 army hostages after the expiration of their 48-hour ultimatum. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist group fighting for Balochistan’s independence from Pakistan, held the hostages aboard the Jaffar Express, which was hijacked on Tuesday. The group says that Pakistan’s refusal to negotiate and release political prisoners led them to take this drastic step.
The standoff began when Baloch militants blew up the railway tracks on the Peshawar-bound train and took over 400 passengers hostage. Most of those on board were security personnel. The BLA set a 48-hour deadline, demanding the release of Baloch political prisoners and activists allegedly detained by the Pakistani military. The deadline passed on Friday without any agreement, leading the insurgents to carry out the execution of the hostages, as claimed in their statement.
Pakistan’s military, however, reported that the siege ended on Wednesday after a 30-hour operation to rescue the hostages. According to the Pakistani Army, 33 rebels were killed in the operation, but it claimed that 23 soldiers, 3 railway employees, and 5 passengers lost their lives during the conflict. The army also stated that the hostages had been rescued.
In contrast, the BLA rejected Pakistan’s version of events, asserting that intense fighting continued even after the army’s claim of the siege ending. The BLA accused Pakistan of “stubbornness” and military arrogance, which they say forced their hand to execute the hostages. “Instead of engaging in meaningful negotiations, Pakistan ignored the realities on the ground. As a result, all 214 hostages have been executed,” said the BLA in its statement.
Further details from the BLA’s statement suggest that the insurgents locked some of the military hostages in special compartments and took defensive positions. Other fighters managed to move the remaining hostages to a safer location. When Pakistani commandos arrived, they were met with fierce resistance, suffering heavy casualties, while the hostages were executed.
This incident highlights the growing tension in Balochistan, where separatist movements continue to challenge Pakistan’s sovereignty. The situation remains volatile, with conflicting accounts from both sides about the outcome of the operation.
