Baloch militants' final warning: Free prisoners in 24 hours or hostages will face trial

The Baloch Liberation Army, a separatist insurgent group, has claimed responsibility for hijacking the Jaffar Express. The group claims to hold about 200 hostages, but authorities have yet to confirm this figure.

In Short

• Security forces rescue 155 passengers, kill 27 insurgents
• Baloch insurgents say over 30 security personnel dead, no official confirmation
• Baloch Liberation Army claims responsibility of hijacking Jaffar Express

The Baloch insurgents who hijacked a train in Pakistan's Balochistan issued a 'final warning' on Wednesday, setting a 24-hour deadline for the release of Baloch prisoners. The militants warned that if the authorities do not comply, the hostages will be subjected to trial and punishment.

"Now, a day has passed, and the occupying state has only 24 hours left. If Pakistan does not make practical progress on the prisoner exchange within the given ultimatum, all hostages will be presented before the Baloch National Court. There, they will be tried on charges of state atrocities, colonial occupation, genocide, exploitation and involvement in war crimes in Balochistan," the militants said in its latest statement.

The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) also claimed that it has maintained "full control" over the Jaffar Express and its hostages for the past 24 hours, holding over 200 Pakistani personnel, including intelligence agents, police, and paramilitary forces, in custody. The security forces are currently conducting a rescue operation to save the captives.

As of now, at least 155 passengers have been rescued, while 27 insurgents were killed by security forces amid the ongoing operation.

The BLA, which seeks independence for the Balochistan province, announced that it was currently holding 214 hostages and had killed at least 30 security personnel, figures yet to be confirmed by Pakistani authorities.

The insurgent group had threatened to start executing them if any army offensive was launched against them.

On Tuesday, insurgents opened fire on the Jaffar Express, carrying 425 passengers in nine bogies, while it was passing through the Mashkaf tunnel near the mountainous terrain of Gudalar and Piru Kunri.

Before hijacking the train, they blew up the railway track, forcing it to a halt in the remote area.

1. Rana Dilawar, a senior police official, said the "train is still on the spot and the armed men are holding passengers". He added that helicopters and additional forces have been deployed with the security operation.
2. On its part, the Baloch Liberation Army has demanded the release of political prisoners, activists and missing persons allegedly kidnapped by the military within 24 hours. It has threatened to execute hostages, including Army personnel, and "completely destroy" the train if their demand was not fulfilled within the specified deadline.
3. A security source told news agency Reuters that of the 425 passengers on board the Jaffar Express, 80 were military personnel. Another source added that 17 of the rescued 104 passengers were taken to hospital for treatment as they were injured.
4. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack. He acknowledged the ongoing operations against the insurgents and highlighted that security forces were effectively countering the attackers.
5. Authorities have imposed emergency at the Sibi hospital, as well as the Civil Hospital Quetta. Health Department spokesperson Waseem Baig said that "all consultants, doctors, pharmacists, staff nurses and paramedical staff have been summoned" in the wake of the hijacking incident.

(With Reuters and PTI inputs)