bla-executes-50-hostages-issue-20-hour-ultimatum

The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), which hijacked the Quetta-Peshawar Jaffar Express and took 212 passengers hostage, has claimed to have executed 50 hostages in retaliation for a Pakistani military offensive.

 

The insurgents have warned that Pakistan has only 20 hours left to meet their demands and prevent further executions.

 

The BLA hijacked the train on Tuesday after detonating explosives on the tracks and opening fire on the Quetta-Peshawar Jaffar Express in a remote region of Balochistan. The train, carrying nearly 500 passengers, was stormed by the attackers, who took 212 individuals hostage.

 

In a statement, the insurgents declared that they had executed 50 hostages in response to a Pakistani drone strike the previous night. They further claimed that they had eliminated 100 Pakistani military personnel in various clashes over the past 24 hours. The BLA has issued a "final and unequivocal warning", stating that if Pakistan’s military continues its operation, all remaining hostages will be executed immediately.

 

"Pakistan now has only 20 hours left. If concrete steps towards a prisoner exchange are not taken within this time, then with every passing hour, more hostages will be tried by the Baloch National Court and executed accordingly," the insurgents warned.

 

According to the BLA, all the hostages in their custody are members of Pakistan's military, police, Frontier Corps, and other security forces. The group has accused them of committing atrocities against Balochistan and has stated that the hostages will be tried for "state oppression, colonial occupation, genocide, exploitation, and war crimes in Balochistan" if the government fails to respond within the stipulated time.

 

Hours after seizing the train, the militants demanded the release of Baloch prisoners and warned that any military retaliation would lead to further executions.

 

Meanwhile, Pakistani security forces claim to have rescued 190 passengers, killing at least 30 militants in ongoing operations. Authorities have confirmed that some hostages have died, but the exact number remains unclear.

 

The crisis continues to escalate as security forces attempt to regain control while the Baloch insurgents stand firm on their demands.