Baloch Liberation Army Claims Detention of 17 Pakistani Soldiers
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) announced on Sunday that it has taken 17 Pakistani soldiers into custody. In a significant development, the militant group stated it has released 10 of these detainees while issuing a one-week ultimatum to the Pakistani government to arrange a prisoner exchange for the remaining seven captives.
Operation Herof Enters Second Phase
In a statement attributed to the BLA's media wing, spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch declared this action represents the "second phase of Operation Herof." The statement detailed that the 10 released soldiers were identified as ethnic Baloch individuals affiliated with local policing structures. According to the BLA, these individuals were freed after receiving warnings about their activities.
The group emphasized that this decision reflects what it described as "ground realities" and the "broader interests" of the Baloch population. The BLA maintained that its actions are responsive to the current situation in Balochistan and aligned with the welfare of local communities.
Court Proceedings and Allegations Against Detainees
The remaining seven detainees are reportedly members of regular units of the Pakistan Army. According to the BLA statement, proceedings were conducted in what the group called a "Baloch National Court," where the captives faced serious accusations including:
- Involvement in actions against civilians
- Aiding enforced disappearances
- Participation in what the BLA described as "genocide of the Baloch people"
The statement claimed that during these hearings, the detained soldiers were permitted to respond to allegations, evidence was presented, and statements were recorded before a guilty verdict was delivered. Despite these reported convictions, the BLA stated it is granting Islamabad a seven-day window to formally express readiness for a prisoner exchange.
Prisoner Exchange Ultimatum and Previous Proposals
The militant group asserted that if the Pakistani government demonstrates willingness to negotiate within the specified timeframe, the seven detainees could be swapped for Baloch prisoners currently held by Pakistani authorities. The statement included criticism of Pakistani authorities for what the BLA characterized as failure to act on previous exchange proposals.
"The statement also accused Pakistani authorities of failing to act on previous exchange proposals and, in doing so, not prioritising the lives of their personnel," the BLA communication noted. The group warned that if no tangible progress is made within the one-week deadline, the "court sentence" would be carried out against the remaining detainees.
Official Response and Broader Context
There was no immediate official response from either the Pakistani military or government regarding these claims. The development comes amid ongoing tensions in Balochistan, where separatist groups including the BLA have been engaged in conflict with Pakistani security forces for years.
Operation Herof, referenced in the BLA statement, reportedly involves coordinated attacks across multiple locations in Balochistan. The situation remains fluid as both sides navigate complex security challenges and political dynamics in the region.
