Earlier, five personnel from the Pakistani security forces were killed and several others, including a senior officer, sustained injuries during two separate attacks conducted by the Baloch Liberation Army.
Baloch writer Mir Yar Baloch announced that Balochistan has claimed independence and asked the United Nations to recognise the Democratic Republic of Balochistan.
A day after the Pakistani Army claimed that all 33 Baloch insurgents who highjacked a passenger train carrying over 400 passengers on Tuesday (11th March) were killed, the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) refuted their statement, calling it a lie.
The Balochistan Liberation Army issued a 48-hour ultimatum, demanding the release of Baloch political prisoners, activists and those subjected to forceful disappearances by the oppressive Pakistan Army. The Baloch fighters threatened to execute the hostages and destroy the Jaffar Express train if their demands were not met or if the Pakistan authorities launched a military operation.
In a statement, the Baloch Liberation Army said that if the Pakistani authorities launched an operation against them, they would kill all the hostages. While several media reports claim that 400 people have been taken hostage by BLA fighters, the rebel group in its statement that they have taken over 100 passengers hostage.
Reports also mention that 4 armed assailants have been killed by the Pakistani Security Forces as the latter tried to foil the attack. Pakistani authorities claim that the 4 were quickly spotted and killed when they tried to enter the naval facility in Turbat, a district in Balochistan.
After Pakistan launched “precision military strikes” against what it claimed “terrorist hideouts” in Iran, BLA has threatened Pakistan to avenge the attack