The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist militant outfit, has claimed it is holding seven members of Pakistan’s security forces and has issued Islamabad a stark ultimatum: agree to a prisoner swap within seven days or risk their execution.
The warning was issued through a statement by Hakkal, the group’s media wing, accompanied by a video message in which the BLA said the clock is already ticking, with only six days left before the deadline expires.
According to the BLA, the captives were taken during what it calls the second phase of “Operation Herof.” The group said its fighters detained 17 security personnel across multiple fronts during the operation. Of these, ten were later released after being identified as ethnic Baloch linked to local police units. The organisation said this decision was taken in view of “ground realities,” local identity considerations, and what it described as the broader interests of the Baloch population.
The remaining seven, the BLA claims, are members of regular Pakistani Army units and continue to be held in its custody. The group further asserted that these men were tried by a “Baloch National Court,” where they faced charges ranging from involvement in operations against civilians to aiding enforced disappearances and participating in “genocide” against the Baloch people. The statement claimed that evidence was presented, the accused were given a chance to respond, and confessional statements were recorded during the proceedings.
“Even in wartime, there are principles, rules and mutual responsibilities,” the BLA said, adding that the next move lies with what it calls the “occupying Pakistani state”, whether it chooses to act to protect the lives of its personnel or, as the group put it, continues with “silence and indifference.”
Despite announcing convictions and death sentences, the BLA said it is offering a seven-day grace period. If Pakistan formally agrees within this window to a prisoner exchange, the group claims the seven detainees could be swapped for Baloch prisoners held by Pakistani authorities. The outfit also alleged that it had made similar offers in the past, which, it said, were ignored by Islamabad.
